The Central Coast Mariners are delighted to announce the signing of exciting Australian striker Presley Ortiz, who joins the Club’s A-League Men’s squad ahead of the Isuzu UTE A-League 2026/27 season.
The 23-year-old arrives on the Central Coast following two standout seasons with APIA Leichhardt, where he established himself as one of the most dangerous attacking players in the NPL NSW competition.
Ortiz played a key role in APIA’s 2025 Championship-winning campaign, earning selection in the NPL NSW Team of the Year following an impressive season in front of goal.
👕 25 appearances
— Australian Championship (@AusChampionship) September 6, 2025
⚽️ 17 goals
Presley Ortiz is certainly one of the deadliest strikers heading into the #AusChampionship 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xlGQF8C6hC
He continued that form in 2026, scoring 21 goals during the regular season to finish equal-top of the Golden Boot standings, before adding to his tally during the Championship Series.
A former Young Socceroo, Ortiz moved from Western Sydney to Portuguese club Sporting CP as a teenager. His time in Portugal provided valuable experience within a renowned, top-level European football environment before he returned to Australia.
An intelligent and creative centre-forward, Ortiz brings pace, movement and a natural eye for goal. His work rate and determination also align strongly with the footballing identity being built at the Mariners.
Central Coast Mariners Sporting Director Matt Simon said Ortiz had earned the opportunity through his consistency and impressive body of work.
“Presley is a player who has worked extremely hard for this opportunity and his performances over the past couple of seasons have been impossible to ignore.
“He scores goals, but there is much more to his game than that. His movement is intelligent, he works hard without the ball and he has that hunger you want to see in a player coming into our environment.
“He has experienced football overseas, he has represented Australia at youth level and, importantly, he has come back and consistently performed at NPL level.
“We have always believed there is enormous talent in Australian football outside the A-League, and Presley is another example of a player who has earned the chance to take that next step.
“We’re really excited to welcome him to the Mariners and see what he can bring to the group.”
Ortiz said he was excited to get started on the Central Coast.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join the Mariners and I can’t wait to get started.
“I’ve worked hard over the past few seasons to keep improving my game and scoring goals, with the aim of earning another opportunity at this level.
“The Mariners have a great reputation for giving players opportunities and helping them get the best out of themselves, so for me this feels like a really exciting place to take the next step in my career.
“I want to come in, work hard, compete for my place and contribute however I can. As a striker you always want to score goals, but ultimately it’s about helping the team win.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting the boys, getting in front of the Mariners fans and playing at Our Paradise.”
Ortiz joins the Mariners following consecutive standout seasons in the NPL NSW and adds another attacking option to John Hutchinson’s squad ahead of the Isuzu UTE A-League 2026/27 Season.
Your first opportunity to watch Presley in Yellow and Navy will be on October 10, when we take on his former club APIA Leichhardt in a friendly as part of the club’s much-loved annual Family Day Event, at Polytec Stadium. He could then make his A-League debut a week later in our highly-anticipated season opener against Newcastle Jets at Our Paradise.
Welcome to the Central Coast, Presley!
