GRAND final goalscorer Bruce Kamau will join Melbourne City next season as their recruiting drive clicks into gear.

Adelaide United conceded that it would be difficult to keep their title-winning side together and Kamau is the first departure with more set to follow.

Kamau, 21, is understood to have signed a three-year deal with City, which is believed to have been months in the making.

The lightning Kenyan-born right-winger scored three goals in 18 games, including the vital opener in the 3-1 grand final win over Western Sydney with a clever run and finish, in a breakthrough campaign after making just two starts last season.

“It’s unreal, you can’t really put it into words,” Kamau said after the win.

“The boss gave me more responsibility in starting in games and I’ve tried to pay him back.’’

Uncontracted Craig Goodwin has already revealed that he wants to try his luck overseas, while former Melbourne City midfielder Stefan Mauk may pursue European offers after a breakthrough season and stopper Dylan McGowan is being courted by A-League rivals.

Uncertainty surrounds the future of City left-sided player Michael Zullo, who is out of contract and yet to be offered a new deal, and Anthony Caceres whose loan deal from Manchester City has expired and is under review by the FFA as revealed by the Herald Sun.

Winger Nick Fitzgerald, who also joined from Central Coast mid-season, has been offered a new deal and is expected to sign.

media_camera Kamau scored the opening goal in Adelaide United’s Grand Final win.

Zullo’s future could hinge on that of fellow left-sided player Ben Garuccio, who’s being courted by Adelaide as its push to repatriate homegrown players continues.

Zullo had a disappointing end to the season after needing toe surgery when he was injured in Round 26.

He showed flashes of the form that took his to FC Utrecht and saw him capped 10 times by the Socceroos but had the kind of soft tissue injuries often associated with players returning from a knee reconstruction.

Garuccio, like Mauk, was born and bred in Adelaide, while striker Marc Marino, who was cut by City, could also sign for his hometown club along with Newcastle’s Ryan Kitto.

City’s changes will continue in the coaching ranks with a foreign assistant with English Premier League experience set to be drafted in to replace sacked Luciano Trani.

Fellow assistant Ivan Jolic quit while Trani, who’s been with the club for two years, got the surprise news last week.

City last week axed Aaron Hughes, James Brown, Jason Trifiro, Wade Dekker and Marino while captain Patrick Kisnorbo retired and was handed a youth coaching role.