Although he didn't coach Osama Malik when he was last at Adelaide United, Rini Coolen is looking forward to having the player back at the club.

The 20-year old North Queensland Fury midfielder/defender will return to Hindmarsh Stadium at the end of the current A-League season when his two-year deal in Townsville expires, delighting Coolen who is keen to have him back in the Reds fray.

"He is young, he's a player we can develop, he can play in several positions like the back line where he playing at the moment with the Fury, but he can also play in the midfield, so that is something good," Coolen said of Malik.

"He's a talented player and another benefit is, although it is definitely not the main reason we signed him, is that he's also an Adelaide boy, so that tops it off."

Malik becomes the Fury fourth player to pledge his allegiance to a rival A-League club for next season, following Isaka Cernak (Melbourne Victory), Justin Pasfield (Central Coast Mariners) and Chris Payne (Newcastle Jets).