Central Coast Mariners have bolstered their attacking stocks by signing former Western United striker Dylan Wenzel-Halls.
Wenzel-Halls joins the Mariners until the end of the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season, after he mutually terminated his contract with the reigning champions last week – following a season and a half with the club.
The 25-year-old attacker joined Western in 2021, after playing 67 games and scoring 14 goals with Brisbane Roar over three seasons.
Wenzel-Halls featured 27 times and scored five goals in their run to the Championship last season – including playing the full 90 minutes in their Grand Final win over Melbourne City and scoring the sealer in the semi-final against Melbourne Victory a week earlier.
After starting the opening six games of this season, Wenzel-Halls fell out of favour, only featuring once more as a substitute following the conclusion of the FIFA Men’s World Cup break in December.
Wenzel-Halls said he is excited to get started at the Mariners, joining an already stacked attack corps and reuniting with former Western teammate Christian Theoharous – who also departed the Victorian outfit in the January window.
“I am absolutely buzzing to become a Mariner, the club has so much history and I am excited to be a part of it. I can’t wait to meet my new teammates and meet the fans at the stadium. I want the fans to know they are getting motivated, determined and hardworking player who will give his all week in, week out,” Wenzel-Halls said.
“The way Monty has the team playing really excites me, the free flowing and attacking football I believe really suits my style of play and is something I can’t wait to be a part of.
“The Mariners are the most entertaining team in the league and as an attacker it’s what you get excited about. I look forward to repaying the coaches belief in me on the pitch and just can’t wait to get started.”
Mariners head coach Nick Montgomery said he is a player he had been keeping his eye on for a while and was pleased to welcome him into the squad.
“When I retired from playing, I actually saw Dylan play for Western Pride in the NPL and immediately told the club to sign him. The Roar found out and offered him a contract straight away,” Montgomery said.
“We kept in touch, and I followed his progress with his move to Melbourne where he was an important player for Western last season, helping them to a championship.
“His lack of game time there this season and the opportunity to bring him to the Mariners was one that I wanted to happen, and I’m delighted to bring him into the squad. He is full of energy and can play anywhere across the front. He’s a player who can score a range of goals but can also provide assists and high intensity pressing.
He will fit in well with the group as he has a great work ethic. Dylan could have stayed at Western collecting a good salary, but he has shown a real desire to make this move happen.
“He believes in what we are building here, that we can help him progress. That speaks volumes of his character and commitment and that’s the sort of players we want at the club.”
