The Central Coast Mariners can today confirm that Fabio Ferreira has accepted an opportunity to join an unnamed overseas club and therefore will not be extending his contract with the Mariners beyond this season.
Ferreira signed with the Central Coast Mariners in January 2015 from Adelaide United and has made 105 Hyundai A-League appearances across his time with both clubs, scoring 28 goals.
The 27-year-old Portuguese attacker will depart the Central Coast Mariners immediately to embark on the next step of his football journey which will see him leave Australia and the Hyundai A-League.
In Ferreira’s first season with the club he claimed Mariners’ joint Golden Boot honours and on his departure from the Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence today, reflected on the great memories made in Yellow & Navy.
“This is a good opportunity for me but at the same time it’s sad because I love Australia and the Mariners have been very good to me,” Ferreira said. “The club, the fans, the office, the coaches, the players and everyone has been great so it’s mixed feelings right now.
“The people here on the Central Coast have been amazing since day one. The fans and supporters have been amazing so I am really going to miss everyone.
“I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has supported me during my time at the Mariners. The club and its fans have always been there for me and for the team. I will be forever grateful for that and good luck to the team for the upcoming season and in the future.
“You never know what can happen in football,” Ferreira said. “I will go now and I may come back in one, two or three years. This is another opportunity for me but I love Australia, it’s a great country and I can see myself one day back here,” Ferreira said.
Central Coast Mariners CEO, Shaun Mielekamp thanked Fabio for his service to the club and wished him all the best.
“Fabio has been tremendous for our club not only on the pitch but in the community,” Mielekamp said. “Whilst on one hand it is sad to say farewell we can only be positive and excited for him with the opportunity that he has created for himself overseas.
“He has set a high bar for the next player to reach and along the way shown some of the great young talent coming through what can be achieved.
“I know that every Mariners member will watch the journey for Fabio with great interest as he continues his career overseas. In saying farewell, we wish him all the best and my comments to him today was that the door is always open and he is always welcomed at this club.
“Fabio or La Flecha is, and always will be known as a Mariner,” Mielekamp said.
