Central Coast Mariners have signed experienced Australian goalkeeper Mark Birighitti.
The 28-year-old has signed a one-year deal for Alen Stajcic’s side after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract at Melbourne City on Tuesday.
Birighitti – who made his name in the Hyundai A-League for Mariners’ rivals Newcastle Jets between 2012 and 2016 – did not make a league appearance for the Victorians.
INS AND OUTS: Central Coast Mariners
FFA CUP WRAP: Mariners cruise past Maitland
“This is a fantastic opportunity, I’m buzzing and I can’t wait to join the Mariners,” Birighitti told the club.
“I’ve spoken with the coaching staff and it seems like a perfect fit – their plan enticed me, it’s a historical club, an ambitious club and getting the Mariners back to where they should be is something I want to be a part of.
“The Mariners are a family club, I’ve heard that it’s a great playing group they’ve got there, a really tight group. We want to be successful and that’s why I am here.”
Born in Perth, Birighitti arrived on the domestic scene as the understudy of legendary Reds goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic at Adelaide United in 2008.
.@MarkBirraz is a keeper.
A Mariners keeper.#WelcomeBirraz ?? https://t.co/ugDc0JLY54#CCMFC #ALeague pic.twitter.com/Za3jlMF3I4
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) August 1, 2019
The shot stopper featured prominently for Newcastle, leading to a move to then-Premier League club Swansea City in 2016. Birighitti also played for Dutch side NAC Breda in 2017 before linking up with Galekovic again on the books of Melbourne in 2018.
He has made one appearance for the Caltex Socceroos, a 4-3 defeat to China in the 2013 EEAF East Asian Cup.
“Mark’s CV speaks for itself,” hailed Mariners coach Stajcic.
“He has national team experience, played overseas in Holland, England and Italy, so we know what he’s capable of.”
