Van Dijk in Adelaide Utd ACL soccer return

Adelaide United have welcomed back Sergio van Dijk for their looming Asian Champions League (ACL) campaign.

But foreigners Pablo Sanchez and defender Iacopo La Rocca have been overlooked for United's squad because of the restriction on foreign players.

Only three foreigners can feature in ACL squads with Adelaide's Argentine player Marcelo Carrusca and Spaniards Sergio Cirio and Isaias getting the nod.

Adelaide United host Chinese outfit Shandong Luneng Taishan in a playoff on Tuesday - the winner will progress into the group stage starting later this month.

Van Dijk, who played 55 games for Adelaide before leaving the club in 2012 for Indonesia, has been summoned into Adelaide's squad as the club's Asian import.

"It feels great to be back with Adelaide United ... I hope I can add something extra to the team and be successful in Asia, van Dijk said on Wednesday.

"The style of football that we play has definitely changed since I was here last but I know I can suit it."