Central Coast Mariners have announced the double-signing of Victorian Premier League pair Francesco Stella and Alistair Bray until the end of the current A-League season and possibly beyond.
Both players have had stints in the A-League previously, with either player enduring fruitless stints at either of Melbourne’s two clubs.
Since then, both youngsters have proven their worth at state level, with attacker Stella plying his trade for Avondale FC while goalkeeper Bray has plied his trade for Bentleigh Greens, a notable performer throughout that club’s fairy tale FFA Cup run in the competition’s inaugural edition.
Both players expressed their delight at finally being able to sign for the club after spending varying periods training for the Gosford outfit.
“I’ve been here training since the start of November and with the window opening it’s finally official,” 22-year-old Stella said.
“I want to prove to myself that this is the level I deserve to be playing at.
“I want to contribute what I know I can and see the team move forward. I’ve really enjoyed it here so far, the atmosphere at training is always good, facilities are good and I’m sure with the team picking up its form it will get better and better.”
“It’s a great honour to play at a club like this, they’ve obviously got a rich history and I’m really excited to get started,” Bray said.
“I’m really loving it here, I’m working hard every day at training to try and prove that I’m ready to go and hopefully I can get selected, I’m buzzing to get started.
“The first thing I noticed was that there’s a great bunch of lads here … there’s a really good culture here.”
Both players will be immediately available for selection and will add much needed depth at the Mariners. Number one gloveman Paul Izzo is set to depart the club until February for Olyroos duty, and up front, Irish striker Roy O’Donovan is likely to be suspended after being cited by the FFA’s Match Review Panel.
O’Donovan could face a lengthy ban for a head-butt on Wellington’s Manny Muscat in the Mariners’ 3-1 win over the Phoenix on New Year’s Eve. The matter has been referred to the FFA’s Disciplinary Committee, to be heard on Wednesday.
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