The Central Coast Mariners are pleased to announce that Nathan Paull has officially signed a scholarship deal with the club.
The 19-year-old central defender has joined the Mariners from Sydney FC, where he has been a part of their Academy since under 18’s after originally moving from Wollongong.
He spent last season in the club’s under 20’s side, helping the team to second place on the NPL NSW competition ladder for the 2022 campaign.
The defender has been an integral part of Sydney FC’s NPL NSW first grade team during this season so far, playing every minute of the first nineteen rounds.
His scintillating form saw Paull selected as the competition’s defender of the month for April, an outstanding achievement for a 19-year-old.
He has now traded sky blue for yellow and navy, with the Mariners fighting off stiff competition from numerous other A-League clubs for his signature.
Paull joins the Mariners on a two-year scholarship deal, which will see him play with the Mariners NPL squad, before also training with our A-League Men’s team when they return for pre-season.
Regarded as a player with huge potential, the left footed defender is yet another promising young footballer who has chosen to develop their skills on the Central Coast.
Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Nick Montgomery is pleased that the youngster has chosen to join the club and looks forward to working with him.
“Nathan is a player we have been tracking for a while and it’s a testament to him that he chose to join us moving forward. With AFC Cup next season, we need to ensure we have strength in depth and competition for places,” Montgomery said.
“Nathan will definitely add to that. Left footed centre backs with his potential do not come around often and with Dean Larson also in the bracket we are very happy to acquire his services moving forward.”
Paull is excited to join the Mariners, with the club’s proven track record of developing youth just one of the many reasons he signed.
“The past couple of years have shown that the Mariners are a top club. It was a big decision for me but not the hardest one. You can see how successful the club is in their belief of young players with the youngest squad in the competition,” he said.
“Watching someone like Nectar is a great motivation for me. When he joined the Mariners he hit the ground running, one year is all it takes sometimes. Hopefully I can help fill the shoes that he has left, I’m just keen to learn.”
The Mariners are able to provide scholarship contracts as a result of the generous support of the TAG Foundation. The organisation gives vital funds for promising young footballers to train full time with the first team, helping them develop in their footballing careers.
The program, which is run through the support of TAG Foundation founder Anton Tagliaferro, has helped support the development of numerous current first team players and many who have moved overseas.
Former graduates include Josh Nisbet, Jacob Farrell, Lewis Miller, Gianni Stensness, Garang Kuol, Alou Kuol and Jing Reec, with many of them currently plying their trade in top leagues across the world.
The club would like to thank both the TAG Foundation and Anton Tagliaferro for their continued support in the development of young footballers on the Central Coast.
