New Mariners goalkeeper Mark Birighitti has arrived on the Central Coast and made his intentions known after his first training session with the Club. He’s here to give the Mariners his all.
Arriving on the Central Coast with a wealth of experience with NAC Breda and Swansea City – Birighitti hit the ground running in his first session at the Mariners Centre of Excellence.
The #KeepersUnion were really pushing each other today. ?
Jess Vanstrattan puts @MarkBirraz & Adam Pearce through their paces in a BIG pre-season session. #CCMFC #ALeague pic.twitter.com/aUHNpwnSqS
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) August 6, 2019
Known to Australian football fans for his stellar efforts in the Hyundai A-League, the 28-year-old is eager to recapture the form that saw him proudly don the Socceroos’ badge in 2013.
Your first session at the Mariners…
“It’s been fantastic, I arrived yesterday and I’m really excited for the challenge ahead. Obviously, I met the boys who are a great bunch of lads, good coaching staff and really excited for the season ahead.
“This is a fresh start, I’m really excited for the year ahead. It’s an ambitious club and speaking to the coaching staff before signing with the club, I like the plan and it’s something I want to be a part of.
“I’m ready for the challenge. I’m excited, the prospect of where this place is going, it’s something I wanted to be a part of and I’ll work hard every day for the club and for the shirt and for the supporters and like I said I’ll work hard every day and come the weekend I’ll make sure I’ll be ready as best I can.
Crossing the #F3Derby divide…
“I spent four years in Newcastle but that’s the past. Now I’m a Central Coast Mariner and I’ll be giving the same blood sweat and tears for this club, I did it at all the clubs I’ve been to and it’s no different here at the Mariners.
Straight to work for @MarkBirraz on day one! ? #CCMFC #ALeague pic.twitter.com/RoJiR3AKMy
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) August 6, 2019
Reuniting with Jess Vanstrattan…
“He’s unbelievable. He’s the best goalkeeping coach that I’ve worked with and that’s a strong reason on why I chose to join this club as well. His knowledge and his understanding of the game is second to none so it was a no brainer joining the Coast.
Playing with Matt Simon, instead of against him…
“It’s nice to be playing on the same team as him. He is one of those players that works hard, got great technical ability and every player hates playing against him. I hated playing him because he would always work hard and make it tough for goalkeepers
“To have him in the same team is great. He is a great leader and a great captain, he’s a Central Coast boy and you can see he gives everything for the club. He is a fantastic leader and someone the other boys can look up to especially the young boys coming through so having him in the same team, I’m really excited to be playing with him.