Former Melbourne Victory defender Steve Pantelidis is looking forward to a career change when the next A-League season begins. The 25-year old lost his way with the two-time champions and struggled to get back into the first team, but he was thrown a lifeline by new franchise Gold Coast United and is now looking forward to getting things back on track.

Pantelidis said when he was on the outside at the Victory, he wasn't looking after himself and felt his passion for the game was dwindling.

"I was letting it get the better of me," Pantelidis admitted to goldcoast.com.au.

"I let myself go, I have to admit. I lost a lot of motivation and I turned to the junk food. I just wasn't looking after myself.

"I just wasn't committed. I knew I was struggling to make the team and I just stopped looking after myself properly.

"I was eating stuff which wasn't doing me any favours, but I've turned that around now.

"My skin fold tests are good again and I've got the hunger and desire again to do well. I'm thankful and relieved to have been given this chance."

The Melbourne-born Pantelidis also revealed a chat with Victory skipper Kevin Muscat helped turn things around.

"Kevin told it to me like it was," he added.

"He said if I didn't have a bit of a look at myself I might never get another opportunity and it shook me up.

"I realised that as a professional you are in a privileged position and I didn't want to blow it.

"I had a good run at Melbourne for three years and I'm just grateful to have been given a chance to prove myself again with a two-year contract at a club which I'm sure will be a big success.

"We've been given every chance to do well by a superb structure at the club -- and there will be no excuses if we don't."