Brisbane Roar coach John Aloisi believes new signing Massimo Maccarone can help mould young gun Nick D'Agostino into an A-League star.
Maccarone was officially unveiled as the club's newest recruit on Monday after signing a one-season marquee deal, replacing Jamie Maclaren as the Roar's go-to forward.
But more than just scoring goals, Aloisi expects the former Serie A and Premier League star to help usher in the club's next generation.
D'Agostino is top of that list.
The 19-year-old is seen as Brisbane's brightest young talent and is coming off a season in which he bagged his first goals as a professional, providing an attacking spark in eight appearances off the bench in the A-League and in a handful of AFC Champions League cameos.
"I'm positive he will learn off him. If you look at their body type, it's pretty similar -- both very powerful players," Aloisi said on Monday.
"Nick D'Agostino's got a bright future. He's still learning the game and who better to learn off than someone at the highest level? He'll definitely benefit.
"I'm sure not only with Nick D'Agostino but other players, younger players ... it'll be how [Maccarone] conducts himself on and off the pitch.
"You look at his body and how he looks after himself, that's something for the young players to take on board."
With Maccarone likely to only play one season in the A-League, he is expected to work closely with D'Agostino before passing him the mantle as the Roar's number one striker.
Maccarone, who turns 38 in September, said he enjoyed working as a mentor and is coming off a season in which he was one of a few experienced heads in a youth-packed Empoli side.
He said the A-League first caught his attention when Alessandro Del Piero signed for Sydney FC in 2012 and had watched "many games" on Italian television.
"I think the level of the A-League is continuing to improve. That's very important," Maccarone said.
"I'm happy to be here. It's a good opportunity to experience Australia.
"I know this is a big club and I want to give my experience to the young [players] and to the team."