Goalkeeper Mark Birighitti will be in Mariners colours for two more years after extending his stay on the Central Coast this week.
The Mariners gloveman had another superb season on the Coast during the team’s run to third spot, finishing equal second in the league for clean sheets with eight, while helping to marshal the best Mariners’ backline by numbers since the Championship winning season of 2012-13.
Birighitti came to the Mariners from Melbourne City ahead of the 2019-20 season, and made an instant impression, winning the Mariners Medal in his first campaign before re-signing for the 2020/21 A-League season.
Speaking this week after re-signing, the 30-year-old said he was looking forward to going around again as a key player and as part of the squad’s leadership group.
“I am very happy to spend the next two years on the Coast,” he said.
“My family is happy and obviously it was an easy decision for me considering the year we’ve just had, very happy and really looking forward to another two years here.”
“The leadership group we have here is a great group, and we can all pass on our experience to the younger boys in the Club. It was a massive year last season, now the hard work continues moving onto next season and hopefully we can go a few steps further.”
“I’ve been around the league for many years, and this is one of the best dressing rooms I have been a part of. I love playing for this club, it’s brought out the best in me and that was one of the main reasons behind me staying at the club.”
“We’ve got the best group here with the players and I want to be a part of that.”
Head of Football Ken Schembri welcomed Birighitti’s return, and said the signing was one of a number to come as the Mariners start preparations early for next season.
“It’s great to have Birraz onboard, and it’s clear from the process we have been through that he loves the club and the region, and that he is enjoying his time here.”
“He is a key part of the squad’s core; with him and others signing on we are keeping together the spine of this team. Mark has helped to develop a great culture within the playing group that we can continue to build on.”
More announcements will be made in the coming days.
