Australia international defender Michael Zullo will join Adelaide United on a season-long loan, the A-League club said on Thursday.

Left-back Zullo, 24, who has made 10 appearances for the Socceroos, has been playing with FC Utrecht in the Dutch Eredivisie since leaving Brisbane Roar for Europe in 2010.

"From the moment we first found out that Michael could be available we moved quickly," Reds general manager Michael Petrillo said.

"Michael is exactly the type of left-sided player we were after. He's quick, technically very good, can get forward and has a great engine."

Zullo, contracted to Utrecht until 2015, has found it difficult to break into their first team so far this season, having not featured in the Dutch club's opening four league games.