Vanuatu central defender Brian Kaltak has re-signed with Central Coast Mariners until the end of the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Kaltak, 29, joined the club prior to the 2022-23 campaign, signing the very first professional content in his footballing career, originally as an injury replacement for Moresche sidelined with an ACL tear.
“It has taken me a while to get my professional contract, now that I am here looking back, what a journey it has been. I am grateful and just happy to be here,” Kaltak said.
“This is one of the things that I have always dreamed of. I am thankful to Monty and Serg. They see something in me that other coaches maybe didn’t and that I can perform at this level. I told them that I could do it and they gave me the chance. I am just enjoying it now and ready to keep going.”
Kaltak added: “Aside from football, I love this place. I love the people that I am with here and the boys as well. This place is nice and hot like Vanuatu, it is great.
“I want to be a part of the project that is happening at the Mariners. Monty gave me the extended contract as promised and believes in me which I am grateful for that. It is a family here for me now, and I just want to make everyone proud.”
Kaltak has been a stand-out in the heart of the Mariners defence this season, playing ten games for the club and only missing the one game through suspension.
Before joining the Mariners, Kaltak had played for ten years trying to break into
professional football, playing for Auckland City while also trialling with Wellington
Phoenix.
Last season, he trialled with the Mariners but was unable to join the squad after an injury cut it short.
However, he impressed coach Nick Montgomery so much that he was asked to return in pre-season where he earned a short-term deal with the club.
Kaltak, who is also the captain of Vanuatu’s national-team, also featured on the Netflix series: Captains, which details the journey of nations around the world during the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup qualification phases.
