The 36-year-old moved into the Highlands Craigieburn estate over the summer and was short of a gallop when United played its first game in round one of the Football Federation Victoria state league 3 north-west season.

The former Sunbury United star's prime focus was on settling in his new home with his young family - not terrorising opposition defences with a soccer ball at his feet.

"I had decided to call it quits," he told the Hume Weekly. "I was too busy.

"Hume United was calling me and on me all the time and it was a deciding factor in me continuing to play this year."

Kalayci has made a name as an attacking midfielder. The problem is that position at United was locked in - by his brother Kaan, who is also the captain.

On the eve of the season, Kalayci spoke with United coach Zoran Bizimovski,

who decided to move him to a new-look front line alongside Irish import Paul Dickie.

"We accommodate each other really well," Kalayci said. "He's tall and lanky, but he's good with the ball at his feet and can win a header. I'm more nippy, smaller type of story."

Kalayci's first foray as an out-and-out striker has been a success. Entering the weekend, the sharpshooter had six goals in four games.

United has continued to make waves this season.

It sits pretty atop the ladder after five rounds.