JETS coach Ernie Merrick doesn't speak much Spanish but the phrase "muy bien" now slips off the Scotsman's tongue.
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"I have said muy bien, which means very good, quite a lot," Merrick said smiling.
The praise is directed towards Panamanian striker Abdiel Arroyo, who will make a much-anticipated A-League debut against the Central Coast in Gosford on Saturday.
The 25-year-old, who has 45 caps for his country, is well travelled, having previously played in Croatia, Colombia, Uruguay and Portugal, but he speaks and understands limited English.
"I want to give a lot of praise to players so I have learned muy bien which means very good and I have said it a lot," Merrick said.
"Arroyo is a striker and football is a fairly common language. When I am working with all players, it is predominantly about their starting and finishing positions and the speed of ball movement. It is pretty easy to explain that.
"I have been very happy with his progress and when I need to explain things in detail at a meeting or before a game, I bring in an interpreter.
"We will have the interpreter in the change rooms for the first game. I will make sure he is crystal clear with all the instructions before the game and at half-time.
"I am not sure if he has started English lessons because google helps him so much. There is a translation app you can get. He talks to the boys through his phone all the time. These things weren't around when I was young."
Jets director of football Joel Griffiths, who scouted Arroyo, has been in the same shoes as the Panamanian during his playing career.
"I had a year in Switzerland at Neuchatel Xamax where they speak French and a season in China without an interpreter," Griffiths said.
"Sometimes it helps you in a way. You don't have to absorb as much information, you just go out and play.
"It can be confusing when the coach wants to speak to you one-on-one, particularly when he wants to know how things are going off the field. On the field, you are smart enough to know what the coach wants.
"We are in the process of trying to get Abdiel's girlfriend out here. That will obviously help him."
Language barrier aside, Griffiths has no doubts Arroyo has the "tools to be a success" in the A-League.
The 2008 Johnny Warren Medal-winner and Jets all-time leading goal-scorer knows it also takes a bit of luck.
"He has speed and lots of it," Griffiths said.
"I have watched most training sessions and I have been surprised at how well he keeps the ball. He is strong, he is athletic, jumps well and he works hard, especially for someone from that part of the world. He ticks a lot of boxes. Hopefully we got lucky."
Though new to the A-League, Arroyo has a tonne of big-game experience. He went to the 2018 World Cup with Panama, where they went down 3-0 to a Belgium side boasting Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku and 6-1 to a Harry Kane-led England.
"Regardless of what country you are from, if you are playing at a World Cup, you are a decent player," Griffiths said.
ARRIVALS
Abdiel Arroyo - Looks made for the A-League, lightning fast, strong on the ball and physical. Is not a prolific goal-scorer but the Jets will certainly need at least 10 out of him. He gives them pace in behind, which is something they didn't have last year.
Matt Millar - The find of the season last year. Was second in assists with eight despite playing for the cellar dwellers. Gets up and down the touchline, has a great engine and is made for Merrick's style of play. Defences will obviously be more aware of his strengths this season. Barring a mishap, he looks as good if not better than the man he replaced, Daniel Georgievski.
Nick Fitzgerald - Released by Wanderers despite having two years on his contract. Speedy winger but has lacked an end product. Andrew Nabbout was a similar type player when he arrived at the Jets and Merrick turned him into a goal scorer and Socceroo. Fitzgerald has improved as the pre-season progressed and the Jets will need him to score at least half a dozen goals and provide a similar number of assists to push for the finals.
Wes Hoolahan - Classy veteran playmaker who came to Australia for the experience rather than the money. Known as the Irish Messi, the former Norwich legend was set to change the way the Jets played until he suffered a serious ankle injury in the FFA Cup against Adelaide. He will be sidelined until at least January.
Bobby Burns - Northern Ireland under-21 captain who came to the Jets for game time after dropping down the pecking order at Hearts. A strong tackler, has a wicked left foot and will get forward and whip in crosses. He looks more than a capable replacement for Ivan Vujica. How he handles the heat and being away from home are the question marks.
DEPARTURES
Roy O'Donovan - The feisty Irishman scored 20 goals in 35 games for the Jets over two seasons. However, he also missed 20 games, 10 with a groin injury in the 2017-18 and 10 through suspension last season.
Ronny Vargas - The Venezuelan didn't deliver on his marquee price tag last season. With the owner cutting the budget there wasn't room for his silky skills. Hoolahan appeared to be a more than capable replacement until injured.
Joey Champness - The winger returned from a foot injury and provided a spark in the final third of the season. He beats players, makes things happen and has an eye for goal. He signed a two-year extension but has been granted a release to move to the US and pursue a rap career.
Jair - Signed to score goals but only netted one.
Daniel Georgievski - Overlapping fullback who provided thrust going forward. Millar is a similar type player with a higher work rate.
The other departures were fringe players.
