On a big day for the Central Coast Mariners, the club has parted ways with youngster Peter Kekeris, while defender Kye Rowles has signed a two-year extension to remain in Gosford.
Kekeris, 20, spent two seasons in the club’s academy system before signing his maiden professional contract in July 2018.
The winger made six Hyundai A-League appearances in total.
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“I would like to thank the club for the past three years,” Kekeris told the club’s official website.
“Coming through the youth academy then transitioning into a full-time professional with the Hyundai A-League team was a massive learning curve for me – it’s an experience that I will never forget.
“From the first day I arrived at the Mariners, I was welcomed with open arms and that’s something I will be forever grateful for.”
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Meanwhile, Rowles will remain in Gosford until at least the end of the Hyundai A-League 2020/21 season after a signing the deal on Wednesday.
An Australian U23 international and 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup representative, Rowles has made 29 appearances for the Mariners after joining the club from Brisbane Roar in June 2017.
Rowles told the club’s official website that he was excited to continue his development under recently-appointed head coach Alen Stajcic.
“Life under Staj so far has been great; he knows the style he wants to play, the structures he wants to instil, so I am really looking forward to continuing to play under him,” Rowles said.
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“Staj is disciplined, very positive and in such a short space of time he has instilled so much confidence in the playing group.
“Personally, I want to play as many games as I can and perform. As a team, if we’re all doing that we will be able to be very competitive over the next couple of seasons.
“Two years has felt like a lifetime and we are dying to turn things around and be competitive again. Especially for the fans, we need to repay their faith.”
