JOSEP Gombau will soon be armed with a formidable recruiting war-chest following a lucrative sponsorship agreement with Chinese backers.

The Advertiser can reveal the Reds will take on the elite of Chinese Super League including Socceroo Ryan McGowan’s Shandong Luneng in exhibition tours under the agreement.

It’s the forerunner to a key Asian partnership given the takeovers of rival clubs Melbourne City and Western Sydney Wanderers that threaten to overpower A-League rivals.

Gombau has been tracking a player with English Premier League and Spanish experience but prefers to sign on season, rather than guest stints.

The Reds are also loathe to dispense with any of their five-strong foreign contingent.

“We have contracts with the five and are happy with them,” said Gombau, despite speculation forward Jeronimo could exit.

Adelaide reached the 2013-14 elimination final against Central Coast despite embracing a breathtaking change in football philosophy. Gombau realises expectation is raised after a season of his possession revolution.

“We played good games last year but need to be at that level from the start,” said Gombau.

“The A-League is improving as you can see from the arrival of guys like David Villa at Melbourne City.”

Gombau will give club favourite Cassio every opportunity to extend his stellar career at Hindmarsh before pursuing a gun left-back.

Cassio, 34, was troubled by a torn hip tendon and quad injury before rupturing his hamstring against Melbourne Victory last November.

Cassio returned to training on Thursday at Marden looking refreshed from holidays in Brazil. The veteran is determined to show medical staff — and Gombau — he can get through an eighth and final A-League campaign.

“Cassio visited doctors in Brazil and after that wants to try and be fixed to play this season,” said Gombau of Cassio, restricted to three games in a 124-tally for the Reds last season.

“We will give him all he needs to recover.”