Mark Birighitti signs with Central Coast Mariners, Jai Ingham dumped

Alen Stajcic has added some Socceroos star power to his Central Coast Mariners squad with the signing of a new goalkeeper from league rivals Melbourne City.

Goalkeeper Mark Birighitti keeps the ball during a Melbourne City A-League training session. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

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AUSTRALIAN international goalkeeper Mark Birigihitti will reunite with goalkeeping coach Jess Vanstrattan after signing with the Central Coast Mariners on Thursday.

Birighitti, 28, has made 85 appearances in the A-League with Adelaide United and the Newcastle Jets, where he worked under Vanstrattan. It was Birighitti’s A-League form that saw him play for the Socceroos in 2013 against China. The Perth born shot-stopper has also represented Australia at under-17, under-20 and under-23 levels.

His signing was announced on Thursday evening, 90 minutes after the release of Mariners off-season recruit Jai Ingham, by mutual consent, was confirmed. It is understood Ingham’s return to Brisbane freed up the funds to allow the Mariners to make Birighitti an offer.

Mark Birighitti has joined the Central Coast Mariners for season 2019-20. Picture: Robert Cianflone

Birighitti returned to the A-League last year with a wealth of experience, having appeared in the Eredivisie with NAC Breda after time with Swansea City.

He signed a three-year contract with Melbourne City but didn’t play a game there and negotiated a release from his contract this week.

“This is a fantastic opportunity, I’m buzzing and I can’t wait to join the Mariners,” Birighitti said.

“I’ve spoken with the coaching staff and it seems like a perfect fit — their plan enticed me, it’s a historical club, an ambitious club and getting the Mariners back to where they should be is something I want to be a part of.

“I’ve worked with Jess [Vanstrattan] before and he’s one of the best goalkeeping coaches I’ve ever worked with. Knowing that he’s at the club played a big part in my decision.”

Head coach Alen Stajcic welcomed Birighitti and said “Mark’s CV speaks for itself”.

“We’re really excited to bring Mark to the club,” Stajcic said. “Successful teams have competition for places across the board and that’s no different in the goalkeeping ranks. We want the keepers to be pushing each other day in, day out.”