SERGINHO van Dijk — Adelaide United’s most prolific goal scorer in history — has answered an SOS from the Reds.

Van Dijk, 33, is expected to land in Adelaide late tomorrow as the Reds look towards the goal machine in a bid to sure up its pending AFC Champions League campaign.

The Dutch-born striker who has an Indonesian passport and represented the nation is destined to watch Adelaide United face Central Coast Mariners at Coopers Stadium on Saturday night before fronting for his first training session on Tuesday.

Van Dijk is also expected to attend Adelaide’s open national premier league trials on Sunday at Elizabeth.

Adelaide officials confirmed van Dijk will be assessed by the Reds during the coming days and signed as a potential Asian Football Confederation player in the 3+1 rule (three foreigners from outside the AFC plus one from the AFC) for Champions League commitments.

Adelaide has to make a decision in dropping two of its current five imports listed — Marcelo Carrusca, Isaias, Sergio Cirio, Iacopo La Rocca and Pablo Sanchez — when it names its Champions League squad for the do-or-die play off on February 9 at Coopers Stadium.

media_camera Van Dijk scores against Shandong Luneng at Shandong Sports Centre Stadium in 2010 — his first goal for the Reds.

It can add an Asian foreigner to its squad with China’s Shandong Luneng looming to be Adelaide’s play off opponent.

In an ironic twist van Dijk’s first official goal for Adelaide was against Shandong Luneng in March 2010 in a 2-0 Champions League away win after he penned an AFC Champions League short deal contract.

He later signed a two-year Reds deal where he became an instant hit before he was released in 2012 by then coach John Kosmina despite his superb goalscoring record.

Van Dijk on New Year’s Eve ended a stint with Thailand’s Suphanburi where he scored 17 goals in 40 matches for the third placed club.

Van Dijk scored 25 goals in 55 matches for the Reds and has also scored 25 goals in 50 matches for Brisbane Roar.