JOEL Porter is relishing the chance to make an impact in his homeland when the new A-League season gets underway.

While Hartlepool United aim to be playing in League One when the new English season starts in August, Porter will be gearing up for an assault on the League title with the newly-formed and cash-rich Gold Coast United.

After finally confirming his departure from Victoria Park, he suffered a disappointing last game in front of the home crowd on Saturday.

And a hamstring strain makes him a doubt for the weekend’s trip to Bristol Rovers.

Then he and his family will start gearing up for their new life on the other side of the world after six impressive years at Pools.

“I was pretty ecstatic when I got news that an Australian side was looking to get me back home,’’ confessed the double player of the year.

“Once I got that in my mind, there was pretty much only one thing I was going to do.

“Gold Coast are a new team who only started up this year and they have got some fantastic players.

“They are looking to win things and play in the Asian Champions League, which is something that the top two clubs go into the following year.

“Jason Culina is going back there from PSV and other good players who have made names within the Australian League.’’ Porter was set to leave Pools last summer and sign for Wellington Phoenix, before the club took up an extra year option on his deal.

When this one ends, however, his English stint is over. “It’s a great area to live and it will be good not just for me, but for my family,’’ he said.

“It makes it easier for the grandparents to see grandkids and so forth.

“It’s hard being a professional footballer because for all you know, you might not get another contract when your current one is up.

“You have to take what you can get and I couldn’t wait around to see if I was going to get one.

“If I didn’t, I’d had to move back to Australia anyway. The opportunity arose and it was a great opportunity for me and my family and something I couldn’t turn down.

“The contract they’ve offered me is a good one and it’s for three years.”