A product of the Para Hills Knights, Elsey made his A-League debut for Adelaide United as a teenager in 2014 and went on to feature in 124 games for his home-town club, winning a championship in 2015-16 and three FFA Cup titles.

Keen to get out if his "comfort zone", Elsey was looking at going overseas until he spoke with new Jets coach Arthur Papas.

"I thought the time was right to make the move and challenge myself," the 27-year-old defender said. "Get out of my comfort zone a little bit. I have been in Adelaide my whole life.

"I had a chat with Arthur and was very attracted by what he is building here."

Papas sold a similar vision to Socceroo Matt Jurman and a host of other key building blocks in his renovation of the Jets.

"It is something I have not had from a coach before," Elsey said. "He was so interested in where I want to take my career and [was firm on] where he wanted to take the team as a whole.

"Obviously, I can't talk too much about tactics but it is a really exciting brand of football and will put bums on seats at the stadium, I can assure you of that."

As well as exciting football, Elsey is confident it will be winning football.

"I didn't come here to lose," he said. "It will be fun to live in Newcastle for a couple of years but I came here to win things.

"With what Arthur and the coaching staff are building I believe we can do that. I am really driven and, at this point in my career, I want to push forward. This year is very important for me."

Elsey touched down in Newcastle last week, fresh from his marriage to long-term partner Megan, who will arrive in the near future.

"Arthur and the coaching staff wanted me here as quick as possible and I wanted to get to work too," Elsey said. "My wife is a nurse, already has a job here and will be arriving soon."

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On the pitch, Elsey has started forming connections, especially with fellow defender and major signing Matt Jurman.

"Like any time when two new players come to a club they holler to each other," Elsey said. "Matty is so experienced and has played at a high level. I'm looking forward to learning from him.

"All the boys and coaching staff have been welcoming. It has been a very easy transition so far.

"I spent time with Jordan O 'Doherty in Adelaide and I know Valentino Yuel. With the other boys, already it feels like I have known them for a year."

The successful teams that Elsey has been a part of previously have been close groups.

"Everyone has to be on the same wave length as the coach in what we want to achieve and what we want to do with our football," he said. "The other one for me is the camaraderie in the change rooms. Success off the pitch means success on the pitch."

Meanwhile, the Jets have parted ways with head of high performance Karl Dodd. Dodd joined the Jets in May as an assistant to then head coach Craig Deans.

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