Alou Kuol returns to the Central Coast Mariners after tough stint in Germany

Former Central Coast Mariners prodigy Alou Kuol has returned the Gosford-based A-League club.

Alou Kuol has come home to the Mariners. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Alou Kuol says Central Coast Mariners will “get the best” out him after returning to the A-League champions following two seasons in Germany.

Kuol, the older brother of Socceroos sensation Garang Kuol, has signed a three-year deal with the Mariners.

“Being given the chance to come home and play in front of my family and for coaches that I

know very well is amazing,” the 22-year-old attacker said.

“I know what they want from me and I think they will get the best out of me.

“It is an amazing feeling to come back and help defend the colours of the Coast, the yellow

and navy. I’ll do everything that I can for this club.

Kuol was signed by Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart from the Mariners in 2021, and played for the German club’s reserve team before being loaned out to lower division SV Sandhausen.

He returned to Stuttgart, and made his one and only Bundesliga appearance in a 2-1 loss to RB Leipzig in January this year.

Alou Kuol has returned to the Central Coast Mariners. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Mariners coach Nick Montgomery said Kuol would be better for his time away from the A-League despite falling short of expectations in Germany.

“Some moves don’t always work out, but Alou will have learnt some valuable lessons and

experiences that have given him the platform to become one of Australia’s top strikers and

push for the Socceroos one day in the near future,” Montgomery said.

“We have full belief in his ability, which he has already proven before leaving for

Europe’s elite.

“I have to commend Stuttgart throughout our discussions and thank them for agreeing to

the transfer on good faith that the Mariners is the best place for Alou to reach his

undoubted potential for both parties to benefit.”

Kuol’s return will boost a Mariners’ attack that has lost grand final heroes Jason Cummings and Samuel Silvera in recent weeks to clubs in India (Mohun Bagan) and England (Middlesbrough) respectively.

Meanwhile, Melbourne City has boosted its foreign brigade with the signing of former French under-21 international defender Samuel Souprayen.

Now 34, Souprayen has spent the past two years playing for Bulgarian club Botev Plovdiv and has had previous stints with French sides Dijon, Stade Rennais and Auxerre, and Italian outfit Hellas Verona.

“I decided to come and play in Australia because I like new challenges, and the opportunity to play in a new country and fight for silverware was too good to pass up,” Souprayen said.

“Melbourne City is a big club that fights for trophies, and I’m a fierce competitor, so this seemed like the perfect challenge for me.”

Melbourne City director of football Michael Petrillo is pleased with the signing of Samuel Souprayen. Picture: Supplied

Souprayen is City’s second foreign signing of the off-season after the club’s recent acquisition of German midfielder Tolgy Arslan from Italian side Udinese.

City director of football Michael Petrillo said: “Samuel is a very experienced defender who has great physical presence, speed and a strong ability to play out from the back.

“After a significant turnover of experienced players, he has the perfect character to bring into our change-room, which was a very important reason for his recruitment.

“Having played 31 games last season, Samuel has shown he is in great physical condition and very capable of performing at a high level.”

Originally published as Alou Kuol returns to the Central Coast Mariners after tough stint in Germany