Isuzu UTE A-League champions Central Coast Mariners have secured the future of promising attacker Arthur De Lima, with the 17-year-old signing a three-year scholarship contract.
After initially joining the Mariners from Brisbane Roar’s academy, De Lima has gone from strength-to-strength on the Central Coast with his recent performances in NPLM NSW catching the eye.
Originally playing with Under-20’s, De Lima’s talent has seen him go on to become a prominent member of the first-grade NPL side, scoring six goals in his last six games – including a hat-trick in a recent 3-2 win over Wollongong Wolves.
“I’m really happy to get this opportunity at this great club, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else to learn and grow. The Mariners are the club of opportunity.
Arthur De Lima on signing his new contract with Central Coast Mariners
De Lima continued: “I have seen the players that have developed here, and I can’t wait to work my hardest to be the next one.
“I want to help the first team as much as possible and my goal is to make my debut this season. The first team boys are really welcoming, there are lots of young players and seeing how well they are doing gives me even more motivation to do just as well as them.”
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With likes of academy products Haine Eames and Sasha Kuzevski and first-team players Miguel De Pizio and Harrison Steele already penning new deals, Mariners head coach Mark Jackson is delighted to have tied down another of the club’s young talents.
“Arthur has been exposed to first team training for a while now in pre-season and we have been closely watching his performances in the NPL,” said Jackson.
“He is a really exciting footballer and another one of our players with huge potential, so we are delighted to be able to offer him this scholarship and secure him.
“He’s a really humble young man who wants to work hard and he’s very driven to get better. He shows excellent ability on the ball but also good physical capability for a player of such a young age.
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“We’re delighted to have him secured for the coming seasons and we’re looking forward to working with him.”
The reigning Isuzu UTE A-League Champions are in the midst of a rebuild this summer following a number of high-profile exits from the club.
Reigning Johnny Warren Medallist Josh Nisbet, talented midfielder Max Balard and fan favourite Jacob Farrell have all headed overseas while club captain Danny Vukovic also announced his retirement following a stunning season in which the club clinched the Premiership/Championship double as well as winning the AFC Cup.
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However the Mariners have been busy recruiting this off-season bringing in the likes of Northern Irish midfielder Alfie McCalmont, young defender Diesel Herrington, Sydney FC goalkeeper Adam Pavlesic and Brazilian attacker Vitor Feijao.
Furthermore, the club tied down one of their best players from a memorable 2023-24 season, rewarding Brazilian star Mikael Doka with a new three-year contract.
