Joshua Nisbet has signed a two-year senior contract with the Central Coast Mariners, keeping him in Yellow & Navy until the end of the Hyundai A-League 2021/22 season.
The 20-year old midfielder has been at the club since January of 2017 and after debuting last season and signing a scholarship contract, has made himself a part of Alen Stajcic’s starting line-up in recent weeks.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash with Wellington in the annual Pink Round, Nisbet said he was excited to lock in his next few years on the Coast.
“I was on a scholarship deal and got the call that they wanted to upgrade me for another two years,” he said.
“I’m so happy to be part of what Staj is doing here at the Mariners and I’m confident we can build this club back up in the next couple of years.”
Congratulations to Nizzy, your Macca's Fan's Player of the Match for Round 20! #CCMFC #CCMvSYD pic.twitter.com/qJXkaH1wcf
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) February 24, 2020
As the smallest player in the league Nisbet has always battled first impressions and after working his way through the pecking order under Alen Stajcic, says he’s comfortable under the long-term boss.
“Every time a new coach comes int they’ve got their preferences and they know what they want, to build, obviously as a player you find a balance between what you think you need to do and what the coach needs to do,” Nisbet said.
“I think I’ve found that balance and I think Staj agrees and that’s why I’ve signed this contract.”
“There can be a perception that being small doesn’t mean you’re athletic or physically good, so a lot of the time it can be used negatively.”
“There is usually a fair bit of doubt initially, and then after a while you slowly build trust and they start believing it’s not the case [that height impacts my game].
Stajcic brought Nisbet on in the win against Western United back in Round 7 at Central Coast Stadium before some time out of the team, but has had the youngster starting all but one game since round 16.
“We’re all excited here for Josh to sign this deal and commit to what we’re doing here on the Central Coast,” Stajcic said.
“He’s worked hard to establish himself as an important member of our squad, and this is just reward for the effort he’s put in.”
“It’s an exciting time now where we’re locking in young players like him for the future and it’s a credit to the work done in our Academy that we have so many youngsters who are up to the standard of our league, and that youth production line is starting to shine through now.”
The Mariners take on Wellington Phoenix at home this weekend in the 8th annual #PinkRound.
