At 23, the enterprising attacking midfielder understands the time is now to make an impression on A-League scouts or face the prospect of remaining in the Victorian Premier League.

Cardozo was just 17 when he made his debut with Sydney Olympic in the old National Soccer League.

Unfortunately, timing is everything in life and the disbanding of the NSL came at the wrong time for a rookie trying to make an impression in the big league.

The tap on the shoulder for an A-League berth never came for Cardozo, but he added to his resume with stints in New Zea

land with Waitakere United and Switzerland with third division outfit FC Bex.

Cardozo landed at Hume City this season a more worldly individual and well rounded on the soccer pitch.

"I'm not a kid any more," the New South Wales-raised Cardozo said.

"I feel fitter, stronger and more mature. Hopefully everything falls into place."

Cardozo, the younger brother of former Socceroo Pablo, whom he lists as his biggest influence, is set to electrify Broadmeadows Valley Park this season.

The son of Uruguayan father Carlos and Argentinian mother Mirta wants to achieve the ultimate glory with City - a championship - with a vision of keeping the A-League fire burning in his belly.

"[The new A-League franchise Melbourne Heart would] definitely be at the top of my wish list," he said.

"I want to be a full-time professional and that's all I ever wanted to do. At Hume City, we've also got a good enough team to win it this year, and their ambition was what attracted me to them.

"I'm not the type of person that settles for second."

Cardozo and his teammates are counting down to the new VPL season.

City will kick-start its campaign on the road against Cardozo's former club Green Gully Cavaliers on February 27.