Mariners snap up ex-Glory youngster eager to ‘have an immediate impact’ on the Coast

Central Coast Mariners have moved quickly to secure the services of 19-year-old winger Abdul Faisal on an 18-month deal, just one day after the teenager’s mutually agreed departure from Perth Glory.

Faisal, who joined Perth ahead of the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season, cited his desire to return home to his family in New South Wales as the driving factor behind his Glory exit.

The former Bulls FC Academy star, who grabbed attention with hat-tricks in back-to-back FNSW League One fixtures in 2024, hit the ground running in Perth with three goals in three Australia Cup games but after just 10 Isuzu UTE A-League appearances in purple, decided to end his time at the club.

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Faisal will spent the next 18 months on the Coast, where he hopes to make an instant impact for the reigning champions.

“I am really excited to be here on the Coast. The way that this club develops young players is a huge appeal, I’ve seen many others come to the Mariners who have gone on to succeed and I want to be just like that,” Faisal said.

“I’m a Sydney boy and I have always seen the Mariners as an incredible club, I want to have an immediate impact here and make the fans happy. My aim is to bring goals, assists and creativity to this team. I am ready to hit the ground running and when I get my opportunity, I’m going to take it.”

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Faisal made 10 Isuzu UTE A-League appearance for Glory.

Faisal is the first signing of the January transfer window for Mariners head coach Mark Jackson, who hopes the teenager can unleash his potential at the club.

“We are delighted to have Abdul join us here on the Coast. He is a player that we have been aware of for a long time and with his situation in Perth we ensured that we capitalised to bring him to the club,” Jackson said.

“He brings both A-League experience as well as an abundance of  potential to develop and improve at a rapid rate. We look forward to having him with us and see him bringing a lot of value to our squad.”

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