The Launceston-born 22-year-old - who was named player of the match in both last season's A-League grand final and Australia's Olympic opener - is hoping to use another domestic campaign as a springboard to achieve his long-term goals of a Socceroos call-up and European contract.

Atkinson has long targeted a move overseas but was staying coy about any interest as he prepares for City to kick-off their championship defence against Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park on Friday at 7.45pm.

"As far as I know, I couldn't really tell you. That's my agent's job," he said.

"This is my last season on my contract so we'll see what happens at the end of the season but the best way to move forward is to put yourself in the best situation so start the season off well, finish it off strong and the sky's the limit after that.

"I told my agent I want to focus on this year and put myself in the best situation to move on with my career whether that is here or overseas."

Having put himself in the shop window with two solid performances for the Olyroos in Tokyo, the Riverside Olympic product said a call-up to Graham Arnold's Socceroos squad is his next goal.

"I just need to keep playing the way I was going into the Olympics. I think the way I play that's what Arnie wants. I've got a good relationship with Arnie and he said 'Keep the way you're playing and anything's possible'.

"It's a big driving factor because everyone wants to play for the Socceroos. I've done it for the under-23s and the World Cup's coming up so that's my driving motivation to play the best football I possibly can to put my name forward."

Atkinson, who has been on standby for recent Socceroos' squads, said the experience of playing at an Olympics, and defeating the highly-fancied Argentine side, has left him hungry for other big stages.

"Going to the Olympics and playing against some of the best players in the world from some of the best clubs in the world, it's a good eye-opener and obviously to hold your own against the best in the world is good motivation to push on and hopefully make a career like them."

Asked how Patrick Kisnorbo's team could top last season's premiership/championship-winning A-League campaign, the versatile goal-scoring right-back replied: "Hopefully win it again and add an Asian Championship to the trophy cabinet."