The Central Coast Mariners are excited to announce that young Australian talent Gabriel Tilo has joined the club on a scholarship deal ahead of the Isuzu UTE A-League 2026/27 season.
The 17-year-old arrives from Sydney United 58 after an impressive breakthrough into senior football, with his performances earning recognition at both club and international level.
Tilo made his senior debut with Sydney United during the 2025 season before establishing himself as one of the exciting young talents to watch in the NPL NSW in 2026.
He announced himself early in the campaign with a brilliant start to the season, including a two-goal performance against Western Sydney Wanderers, while showing his ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch.
His performances were rewarded with a call-up to the CommBank Young Socceroos, joining Australia’s Under-20 squad for the Australia-China Friendship Series in March.
Tilo ended the 2026 season with 28 appearances, contributing 3 goals and 1 assist, in all competitions for United 58, with the season coming to close this Sunday as United 58 were crowned champions after a Grand Final victory over APIA Leichhardt.
Capable of playing anywhere down the right side, Tilo combines speed and attacking intent with the willingness to work and learn – qualities the Mariners believe make him an exciting prospect for the future.
Central Coast Mariners Sporting Director Matt Simon said the scholarship was about giving Tilo the environment to turn potential into performance.
“Gabriel is a young player who has already shown that he is comfortable stepping up and competing against senior footballers.
“What stood out to us is that he plays without fear. He wants to get forward, he wants to influence games and he backs himself, but there is also a lot of development still ahead of him.
“That’s what makes this exciting. We’re not expecting Gabriel to arrive as the finished product. Our job is to give him a demanding full-time environment, surround him with good people and help him maximise the talent he has.
“He has already earned recognition with the Young Socceroos and shown what he can do at NPL level. Now he gets the opportunity to take another step in his career.”
For Tilo, the move represents an opportunity to enter a full-time professional environment and continue building on a breakthrough 12 months.
Tilo said signing his first scholarship with the Mariners was a proud moment.
“It’s a massive opportunity for me and something I’ve worked towards for a long time.
“I know coming into a professional environment means the standards are going to be higher every day, and that’s exactly what I want. I want to be challenged and learn as much as I can from the coaches and the senior players around me.
“The Mariners have a strong history of giving young players opportunities if they’re prepared to work for them, and that was really exciting to me.
“Nothing is guaranteed. I know I have to earn everything from here, and I’m ready to get to work.”
Tilo will now link up with John Hutchinson’s A-League Men’s squad as preparations continue for the Isuzu UTE A-League 2026/27 season.
Your first opportunity to see Gabriel in Mariners colours is at our Family Day Event on October 10, and he will be looking to make his A-League debut a week later when we host Newcastle Jets in the season opener at Our Paradise.
Welcome to the Mariners, Gabriel!
