The club has signed Adriano Pellegrino and Brad McDonald, who will join the team for the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season.
The Central Coast Mariners have today signed attacking midfielder Adriano Pellegrino from Perth Glory and versatile former North Queensland Fury player Brad McDonald.
The pair have put pen to paper on deals that will see them join the Hyundai A-League 2011 Grand Finalists for next season, plus the group stage of the AFC Champions League 2012. Pellegrino has also committed to the club for the Hyundai A-League 2012/13 season.
“We-re delighted to bring in players with the qualities of Adriano and Brad to our club,” said club Chairman Peter Turnbull.
“The club is coming off an excellent season with another Grand Final appearance, and we-re fortunate to have our second AFC Champions League campaign to look forward to in the near future as well.”
“Bolstering our squad with the addition of these two established but youthful players sees us move into this exciting time with momentum and with plenty for everyone on the Central Coast to embrace,” he explained.
Pellegrino, 26, quickly made an impact in the Hyundai A-League after joining Perth Glory in 2008, being named the club-s Most Glorious Player in his inaugural season with the West Australians. A stunning left-footed goal against Melbourne Victory in Round 14 of that campaign has seen the Adelaide-born midfielder grace highlight reels around the country ever since.
It-s those types of sparkling performances that Mariners fans can get excited about as Pellegrino plies his trade at Bluetongue Stadium for the next two years.
“I-m thrilled to have the opportunity to start this new chapter of my life and my career, and to be able to do it at a club that-s been successful and has had a great season is fantastic.”
“Arnie (Graham Arnold) and Phil (Moss) did a great job last season and hopefully we as a team can take the next step next season and win that championship,” Pellegrino said.
A product of the Brisbane Roar youth system, McDonald made 25 Hyundai A-League appearances for the Fury during the 2010/11 season. Indeed, the 20-year-old became a regular fixture in Franz Straka-s line-up after the natural left-footer made an impression in his debut off the bench against Adelaide United early in the season.
Born in Papua New Guinea, McDonald says he is keen to settle into life on the Central Coast of NSW.
“I-m very excited about moving there and joining the club that were Grand Finalists last season,” he said.
“The Champions League should be great, and that-s something else I-m really looking forward to. They-ve got some great coaches there also, and it seems like a great community that I can-t wait to be a part of.”
Pellegrino and McDonald will join their Mariners teammates at the first training session of the new season on May 16 as Graham Arnold-s men look to go one step further in their next campaign.
