AEK completed the signing of Australian youngster Nathan Burns from Adelaide United on Tuesday.

The Athens club announced that the Socceroo international has signed a four-year contract.

Burns, a 20-year-old striker, was in Athens on Tuesday afternoon and after putting pen on paper he made his first statements as an AEK player.

"AEK is a major opportunity for me to play in Europe," he said.

"I have always wanted that break and I am lucky a big club such as AEK have chosen me, as it is a team going for the league title every year, playing good and beautiful football."

"My first impressions from the club are excellent as it is very well organised. From its footballers, I know the world-class star Rivaldo and it is a huge honour and challenge for me that I will play in the same team with such a big player."

"I have also met my new manager. As I was told, he believes in young players and helps them with his work. I therefore feel this is very important step in my career," said Burns.

Earlier, the Australian club announced on their website that they had reached a deal with AEK for the player's transfer.

"The club has agreed to release Nathan to AEK Athens. We respect and support Nathan's desire to compete in a European league," the club's CEO Sam Ciccarello told the Adelaide United website.

Burns has represented his country at youth and senior level and has been likened to Harry Kewell.

He made his Socceroos debut against Singapore in June 2007, when he came on as a second half substitute for Mark Viduka in a lead up game to the Asian Cup.

Burns, the first ever player of Adelaide United to score a hat-trick, had a trial with Norway's FC Brann earlier this year.

AEK are also chasing Argentinean striker Nacho Scocco from Mexican club Pumas.