The Central Coast Mariners are excited to announce the recruitment of 20-year-old goalkeeper Paul Izzo who will join the Yellow and Navy from Adelaide United on a two-year deal.
Having featured seven times for ‘The Reds’ since joining the South Australian club during the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season, Izzo will have the opportunity to ply his trade alongside Liam Reddy in the goalkeeping ranks.
Izzo has developed his game under Adelaide stalwart Eugene Galekovic and most recently found himself in the Reds’ starting line up in rounds 13, 14 & 15 of the Hyundai A-League 2014/15 season whilst Galekovic fulfilled his AFC Asian Cup commitments with the Socceroos.
During Adelaide’s maiden FFA Cup crown, Izzo was also a stand out performer in their Round of 16 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix. Izzo held an invaluable clean sheet to make three crucial saves during the first half and another during stoppage time to keep ‘The Reds’ in contention.
Izzo is a product of the Australian Institute of Sport program and played his junior football with Campbelltown City. Throughout his journey to the Hyundai A-League the South Australian born shot stopper has also featured 12 times for the Young Socceroos.
Izzo is proud to have joined the Mariners who have a strong history of developing quality goalkeepers and admitted that he is really looking forward to working with Liam Reddy.
“Very exciting times for me, it’s going to be a new experience for me,” Izzo said. “My agent gave me a call saying that there was an opportunity to come to the Mariners and seeing the past success they’ve had here with goalkeepers I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to grow as a player and even a person.”
“By watching games last year you can tell he’s [Liam Reddy] a massive character in the group so I’m sure working with him will be a great experience for me.
“I want to train the best I can to give the coach a headache and that can only be a good thing for the team.
“Like many of the young players who have left to play overseas they have made a name for themselves in Australia and that’s my goal,” he said.
Head Coach Tony Walmsley is excited to have reached a deal with Izzo who he believes is a talent that can progress beyond the Hyundai A-League.
“Part of our recruitment process is to identify top Australian talent who have the ability to make a name for themselves in the Hyundai A-League, then succeed in Europe,” Walmsley said.
“Paul fits the profile and is hungry for success. He recently signed a two year deal at Adelaide, but feels ready to challenge himself interstate and Adelaide have supported his desire to join us for pre-season.
“Liam Reddy is coming off an excellent season and Paul is under no illusions as to the scale of his challenge here, but it’s a challenge he is prepared to take on and we are delighted to add him to our playing group on a two year deal.”
Izzo will remain on the Central Coast until at least the end of the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 Season and will link up with the Yellow and Navy for pre-season next week.
