Following his return to the Coast this season, the Central Coast Mariners are pleased to announce that goalkeeper Danny Vukovic will be the Mariners club captain for the 2022/23 season.
The goalkeeper has played five seasons for the Mariners spanning from 2005 until 2010, totalling 104 appearances for the club. He replaces club legend Matt Simon, who yesterday announced his retirement from professional football.
Vukovic’s return comes as the Mariners look to continue their bright past two seasons, which has seen us make consecutive finals appearances.
Having had stints playing around the world in countries including Turkey, Japan, Belgium and the Netherlands, Vukovic returns to the Mariners with a wealth of experience.
He has also featured in Australia’s squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, as well as the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
His leadership will be vital for a Mariners squad filled with exciting young players prepared to take the competition by storm.
Receiving the armband is a dream come true for Vukovic, with the captaincy marking his return to the club who gave him his A-League debut.
“It is nice, a role that I don’t take lightly. I want to be a positive influence on my teammates and the club and I am just looking forward to it all kicking off on Saturday,” he said.
“It is a young squad and I think I bring experience, both playing football in the A-League but also overseas. Wherever I can help and guide the players is what I want to do.”
Head coach Nick Montgomery is excited to have the veteran shot-stopper back on the Coast, believing that his wealth of experience will be vital this season.
“It wasn’t really a hard choice with the news of Simmo’s retirement. The fact that we are a young team, bringing Vuka back wasn’t just for him to be a great goalkeeper, its also for his leadership,” he said.
“As soon as he came in he brought the presence that we need and having that captain at the back, a goalkeeper as experiences as Vuka was an obvious choice and one that was popular in the dressing room.”
Vukovic will lead the Mariners out this weekend against the Newcastle Jets, with tickets available HERE.
