The Central Coast Mariners are delighted to welcome home Socceroo Trent Sainsbury, with the defender signing a 3-year-deal at the club.
The 32-year-old arrives on the Coast after spending the last 10-years playing overseas, originally departing the Mariners in 2014 for Eredivisie outfit PEC Zwolle.Â
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During his initial stint with the Mariners, where he made his professional debut against Newcastle in November 2010, the now 32-year-old was a standout.
He won the 2012/13 A-League Championship, the Mariners first ever, while also being awarded our Player of the Year in that same campaign. This was his first as a regular starter in his professional career, with Sainsbury spending another six months on the Coast before departing for Holland.
During his time with PEC Zwolle, Sainsbury added two further pieces of silverware to his cabinet, the Dutch Cup and the Dutch Super Cup. While he was with them, Sainsbury also played a crucial role in Australia winning the 2015 Asian Cup on home soil.
The defender played every minute that campaign, scoring in the semi-final before putting a Player of the Match performance in against South Korea to help the Socceroos win the tournament.
In total, Sainsbury has made 61 appearances for the Australian Men’s National Team, making the Socceroos squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and featuring in all three of their group stage matches.
The 32-year-old left PEC Zwolle in 2016, departing for Chinese Super League club Jiangsu FC, before notably signing for Inter Milan on loan, as well as Swiss outfit Grasshopper Club.
Sainsbury has also featured for Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, Maccabi Haifa and Kortrijk, while he most recently played for Qatari side Al-Wakrah SC.
Despite having interest from numerous other Isuzu UTE A-League and overseas clubs, the defender has opted to return home to the Mariners and is looking forward to the season ahead.
“I’m super excited to be returning to the Central Coast. Coming back here was always the option for me, a real full circle moment having made my professional debut for the club,” Sainsbury said.
“I spoke with Jacko and Simmo and they gave me the feeling that this is the right place for me. What the team achieved last season was incredible, an amazing treble, and I can’t wait to add what I can to the club and squad. It’s going to be a huge season, and I’m ready to give everything to help the Mariners achieve more silverware.”
Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Mark Jackson is thrilled to get the deal over the line and is excited to have someone of Trent’s quality and experience join us ahead of the upcoming season.
“We are absolutely delighted to get this signing over the line. We welcome Trent back to the club where it all began for him as a professional footballer,” Jackson said.
“He is someone who has played at the highest level, has vast experience in the game and is a real leader on the pitch. He is exactly what we need in the group. I’d like to thank Rich for his support in making this signing happen and Matt Simon who was instrumental as well. Trent is someone that I am sure everyone in the Mariners Family will be thrilled to see as a part of the team.”
