Marcos to move from Mariners

Central Coast Mariners have announced Argentine midfielder Marcos Flores will not be re-signed by the club at the end of the current season.

Central Coast Mariners have announced Argentine midfielder Marcos Flores will not be re-signed by the club at the end of the current Hyundai A-League season.

Flores linked with the yellow and navy on a one-season deal ahead of season nine of Australia-s top flight, however early in 2014 suffered an unfortunate knee injury which ruled him out of the remainder of the current campaign.

With the Mariners keen to give Flores an early decision regarding his future with the club, the former Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory midfielder has been informed he will not be retained by Central Coast when his current contract expires at the end of May.

“Marcos is an extremely popular member of our dressing room and is a favourite with the fans and everyone involved with the club,” said Mariners coach Phil Moss.

“However when Marcos sustained his injury we needed to bring in quality reinforcements in his area of the pitch, and we now have a number of players in our squad who can play in the attacking midfield role.”

“We have Kim Seung-yong, Glen Trifiro and Anthony Caceres, plus Anthony Kalik who has been at the Australian Institute of Sport will be eligible for action in that position with us next season.”

“So I need to balance the squad by signing and or retaining players in other positions, and unfortunately with a squad size of 23 and a salary cap I have had to make the difficult decision not to re-sign Marcos beyond this season.”

“Hopefully our early and transparent decision will provide Marcos with the best possible opportunity to negotiate with other interested clubs so he can settle his long-term playing future,” he said.

Since joining the Mariners Flores has worked conscientiously to share his passion for the game, assisting Central Coast to promote football and the Hyundai A-League to fans around the world.

Moss said that Flores-s efforts away from the pitch should not go unnoticed.

“The work Marcos has done off the pitch both in the community and on television has been tremendous,” he explained. “We-d like to commend Marcos for setting such a good example for the younger players in our squad and working diligently to engage with our supporters, grassroots players, our members and fans.”

Flores will continue his rehabilitation and training with the Mariners until his contract concludes at the end of May.

Central Coast Mariners host Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 25 of the 2013/14 Hyundai A-League season at Central Coast Stadium tonight at 5.30pm AEDT.

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