Just days after making his Hyundai A-League debut, teenage forward Alou Kuol has inked a scholarship deal with Central Coast Mariners.
The 19-year-old starlet joined the Mariners’ Foxtel Y-League side last year and after some eye-catching performances came off the bench in the club’s loss to Western United FC on Sunday.
And coach Alen Stajcic has been impressed with Kuol’s development, handing the youngster a scholarship deal to keep him in Gosford.
“Alou is a great example of our player identification and the platform we give players here to develop their game and pursue their career,” Stajcic said on the Mariners’ website.
“He has worked hard through the Foxtel Y-League season with Monty [Nick Montgomery] and in training with the first team, and this is a great reward for him.
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“We’re reinforcing our position as a club that provides opportunities for young players to excel and Alou is an example of the talent amongst our ranks.”
Kuol moved from Shepparton in Victoria to join the Mariners’ youth side and scored six goals in six matches for the club.
He has carried that form into the pre-season with the club’s NPL2 side in NSW, scoring a hat-trick against Broadmeadow Magic and a four-goal half against the Newcastle Jets in recent friendlies.
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Kuol’s knack for scoring goals convinced Stajcic to put him in the squad for the clash with Western United, playing the last 20 minutes in Geelong.
“That’s the best thing ever to have my family there, and to make my debut and take my first step in becoming a professional…I don’t know what to say, I really was lost for words [when it happened],” Kuol said.
“I’m so appreciative of Staj for giving me the opportunity, but now it’s time to get back to training and there’s plenty of hard work ahead of me.”
“I wouldn’t be in this position without Monty and Sergio [Raimundo] who brought me into the youth setup, so I can’t thank them enough for helping me in my development and enabling me to have this chance.
“As a kid I wanted to be able to say I was playing on TV, so to be able to do just that in front of my family and friends, I couldn’t ask for any more.”
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. @ALeague debut âś…
Scholarship deal âś…
A big week continues for Alou Kuol! #CCMFC #CCMvWEL
Read 👉👉 https://t.co/sivNCbeDZN pic.twitter.com/glyN0Nykwc— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) March 4, 2020
Kuol will hope to get another taste of Hyundai A-League action when they Mariners host Wellington Phoenix in Gosford on Sunday.
Central Coast Mariners v Wellington Phoenix
Sunday, 8 March
Central Coast Stadium
Kick off: 4pm AEDT
