Adelaide United has locked in Dylan McGowan and dates against Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory at Coopers Stadium in a blockbuster start to its A-League title defence.

Stopper McGowan — who soldiered through every minute of Adelaide’s inaugural championship triumph — will return from Scotland next month, married and with a new Reds deal.

The Advertiser understands the 27-round, 2016-17 A-League season kicks off a week after the October 1 AFL grand final.

Focused on an inaugural A-League championship — Guillermo Amor’s side prudently chose not to celebrate the premier’s plate during the finals series.

However, United can share its 2015-16 championship trophy with the Coopers Stadium faithful before a grand final rematch against the Wanderers on Friday, October 14.

Archrival Melbourne Victory visits Coopers Stadium in round three on Saturday, October 22. The afterglow of Adelaide’s magical grand final triumph in front of 51,000 fans won’t tempt the Reds to switch marquee games against Kevin Muscat’s Victory to the CBD.

The Reds attracted a disappointing 19,000 fans to their 2015-16 season opener at Adelaide Oval. Fans expressed a desire to start the season at the Reds’ purpose-built, Hindmarsh home. Adelaide will host either Sydney FC or Melbourne City at Adelaide Oval at date to be determined.

United resumes training on June 27 at Playford. Amor’s Australian contingent is due back to train by June 20. Foreign stars Marcelo Carrusca, Isaias, Cirio and Iacopo La Rocca will report back at Hindmarsh by June 24.

Former Hearts favourite McGowan, 24, is marrying Scottish partner Rebecca on June 18 in Edinburgh and is expected to be the last of Amor’s title winning group back on the track.

Brilliant midfielder Stefan Mauk has another two years on his Reds contract but attracted attention following his stunning January transfer arrival — becoming the final piece in Amor’s premiership puzzle.

Overseas suitors must substantially exceed the $850,000 Gençlerbirli paid United for Bruce Djite in 2008 to prise Mauk.

Mauk — who received a squad call-up from Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou ahead of Friday’s 2-1 loss England at the Stadium of Light — is expected to remain with the Reds this season.

He will enjoy smooth passage to Europe as a German passport holder, but Adelaide can promise the 20-year-old sensation principal game time under Amor and an Asian Champions League showcase.

Adelaide has signed forwards Ryan Kitto from Newcastle Jets and Mark Marino from Melbourne City but lost Craig Goodwin to Sparta Rotterdam and Bruce Kamau to AAMI Park. Super-sub Pablo Sanchez has returned to Spain, where Amor is currently scouting for reinforcements.