Former Socceroo defender Adrian Madaschi is expected to make his Perth SC debut 3pm Sunday against Stirling Lions at Dorrien Gardens.

The signing is a homecoming for Madaschi, who left Perth SC at the age of 15 in 1998 to join Italian Serie A side Atalanta.

Since then, Madaschi has played for Monza, Pistoiese, Grosseto and Portosummaga in Italy, Partick Thistle and Dundee in Scotland, Melbourne Heart in the A-League and Jeju United in Korea.

He has also represented Australia at youth and senior levels, winning five caps and scoring two goals for the Socceroos.

Perth SC President Gary Marocchi said Madaschi’s signing was not only a coup for the club, but for the NPL WA competition.

“Adrian is an elite professional and an outstanding defender, and to have a player of his calibre running around in our competition is a major boost for the NPL,” Marocchi said.

“We welcome Adrian back home to Dorrien Gardens and I look forward to seeing him once again in a Perth SC shirt after all of these years.”

Madaschi said it was great to be back at the club, 16 years after he left to pursue his dream of Serie A football.

“I thank the club, the coaching staff and the players for welcoming me back, and I hope that I can help in every way possible to keep bringing in positive results and be up there challenging for the top spot,” he said.

"After my most recent pro experience in the South Korean K-League, and with the A-League in the off-season, this is the perfect opportunity for me to gain and maintain fitness and game time.

“I still have a very big desire and ambition to be playing again in the A-league and I am confident of succeeding at that level if and when that opportunity comes along.”

Sunday’s match will also be the first Dylan Tombides Tribute Match, which will honour the young striker who passed away from testicular cancer last month at the age of 20.

Dylan represented both clubs at junior level before heading to West Ham and representing the Socceroos at youth level.

Stirling Lions and Perth SC have agreed to establish the Dylan Tombides Trophy as part of the tribute, which the clubs will battle for each year in the NPL on a home and away basis, with the winner to be determined on the aggregate results.

Perth SC has also agreed to donate gate proceeds from Sunday’s tribute match to the dt38 foundation, which is being established by Dylan’s family to provide other young Australian footballers with the opportunity and support to realise their footballing dreams.

The other five NPL matches will kick-off at 3pm on Saturday.

Armadale host ECU Joondalup at Alfred Skeet Reserve, Bayswater City take on Perth Glory at Frank Drago Reserve, Cockburn City travel to Grindleford Reserve against Balcatta, Inglewood United will be against Subiaco at Intiga Stadium and Percy Doyle Reserve will be the venue for Sorrento versus Floreat Athena.

*With thanks to www.perthsc.com.au