Adelaide United FC's aim to claim its first Hyundai A-League championship has been enhanced with the signing of Uruguayan midfielder Francisco Usúcar.

The 24-year old touched down in Adelaide today and will join the Reds' squad for the first time at training tomorrow. The Reds have secured Usúcar for the remainder of the current Hyundai A-League season with the possibility of a further one year extension.

However, the club cannot unveil Usúcar in the league until the international transfer window opens on 1 January 2011, meaning he could make his debut against league leaders Brisbane Roar at Hindmarsh Stadium on January 2.

Usúcar has represented Uruguay's U-20 and U-17 national teams, having most recently just completed a season in Uruguay's Primera Division with Central Espanol. He also spent a short stint with high profile Greek club Panathinaikos last year.

An aggressive holding midfielder, Usúcar will take up a foreign spot on the Reds' playing roster, which has been made available with the early departures of Korean midfielder Inseob Shin, who has been drafted to the K-League club Busan I'Park, and striker Lloyd Owusu, who is returning to England.

Shin and Owusu are both scheduled to depart Adelaide on December 22, which allows Usúcar to replace Shin, while versatile utility Cameron Watson, who has been on a host of short term contracts, will take up a place on the official roster.

This reshuffling leaves United's squad with 20 players on its list, but as the transfer window draws closer, Head Coach Rini Coolen will continue to explore possible additions in order to strengthen his squad for the future.