Central Coast Mariners have secured the transfer of Northern Ireland midfielder Alfie McCalmont from Carlisle United, the reigning Isuzu UTE A-League champions announced.
The Leeds United academy graduate moves to Gosford for the 2024-25 season and reunites with former coaches Mark Jackson and Danny Schofield, having worked with the Mariners boss and assistant and Elland Road.
McCalmont made four appearances for Leeds between 2018 and 2023, before leaving the historic British club on a permanent basis last year. He featured twice for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
A tenacious midfielder, the 24-year-old also reunites with Mariners forward Ryan Edmondson after the pair played together at Carlisle.
“It’s fantastic to get Alfie McCalmont over the line. He’s a player I know really, really well. Similar to the relationship I have with Ryan Edmondson, I’ve known Alfie from a young age, worked with him a lot and watched his career develop in England.” head coach Jackson said.
“He’s a vastly experienced player even though he’s only 24. He’s amassed a lot of league appearances in England, so he brings experience to the team despite being a young age.
“Alfie’s a defensive midfielder but we know he can play higher up the pitch as well. I know he fits into the team as a player and importantly, I know from a cultural point of view, he will fit into the club. We’re really looking forward to welcoming Alfie to the club and getting to work with him.”
McCalmont emerged from Leeds’ youth system in 2018, having arrived aged nine – and made his first loan move away from the club in 2020 – joining Oldham Athletic temporarily in 2020-21.
He also had loan stints at Morecambe and Carlisle, where he made his move permanent in 2023 having helped secure promotion from League Two with two goals the season prior.
During his time at Morecambe, he came up against Premier League giants Tottenham in the third round of the 2022-23 FA Cup and provided an assist in a 3-1 loss to Spurs.
By the age of 23, four-time Northern Ireland international McCalmont amassed 100 senior professional appearances in the EFL.
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“I am delighted to be joining the Central Coast Mariners. Knowing Jacko and Danny quite well from my time at Leeds, being able to work with them again is a great opportunity for me,” he said.
“I loved working with them in England and to see their success last season, it has been an easy decision.
“I have spoken to Jacko a lot about how he wants me to play in this team, the style suits me a lot, keeping the ball moving and attack minded. I can’t wait to get to the stadium and play in front of our amazing fans this season.”
