Central Coast have moved to strengthen their goalkeeping depth through the signing of North Queensland Fury stopper Justin Pasfield for the next two seasons.
Pasfield, the Fury’s first-choice custodian for much of the club’s first two years in the competition, will join the Mariners from next season, through until the end of the 2012/13 campaign.
The 25-year-old heads to the Central Coast in the knowledge he will have to fight hard to break into the side, following the recent form of incumbent Mariners’ custodian Mathew Ryan.
“It’s a new challenge, a new step for me,” Pasfield said.
“They have a ‘keeper there that is very young and doing very well, so there’s a challenge for me to go down there and do well.”
Mariners coach Graham Arnold worked with Pasfield during the Qantas Olyroos qualification campaign for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and says he’s delighted to have the ex-Sydney FC and Newcastle shot-stopper.
“You need two good ‘keepers and unfortunately Jess Vanstrattan has had a knee reconstruction so we’re unsure about that side of it,” Arnold said.
“But Justin gives us another good experienced ‘keeper.”
“He’s a guy who has played two full years up there in North Queensland and has done exceptionally well.”
Pasfield’s decision comes as another blow to North Queensland. Already under FFA administration and with their future still very much in the air, the Fury have also been hit by midfielder Isaka Cernak announcing he will be heading to Melbourne Victory next season.
