Central Coast Mariners have today added 26-year-old former Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC midfielder Stuart Musialik to their playing roster for the 2011/12 Hyundai A-League campaign.
Central Coast Mariners have today added 26-year-old former Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC midfielder Stuart Musialik to their playing roster for the 2011/12 Hyundai A-League campaign.
A key member of Graham Arnold-s 2008 Qantas U-23 team that competed at the Beijing Olympics, Musialik adds further depth to the Yellow and Navy-s playing stocks heading into season seven of the competition.
Despite having well over 100 Hyundai A-League appearances and two Grand Final wins under his belt, Musialik – who usually occupies a place in defensive midfield – knows he will have to knuckle down if he-s to earn a place in the Mariners starting side.
“Arnie is a top coach who I know well, and I-ve always had a good relationship with him,” Musialik said.
“In saying that, he has made it very clear I-ve got to come to the club and work my way in to the first eleven.
“He-s not going to give me any favours, and I-m not looking for any. It-s a challenge I-m really looking forward to.”
Indeed, the opportunity to link with his former mentor on the international stage proved to be one of the key ingredients in the deal that sealed Musalik-s move to the Mariners.
On the cusp of a cap with the Qantas Socceroos when working with Arnold, Musialik said he hopes his shift to the Central Coast will take his play back to the standard it peaked at just a few seasons ago.
“I play the type of football Arnie likes to coach, which was a key factor why I chose to come to the Mariners,” he said.
“When I was working with Arnie with the Olyroos and Gary van Egmond at Newcastle (Jets), that was when I was playing my best football. In the last couple of years at Sydney I-ve shot off the radar. The challenge for me here is to get back to the level I was at.”
Arnold said the addition of Musialik added increased options in midfield, and a host of experience to the playing group.
“By any reckoning, Stuart brings a lot of A-League experience to the club. He-s already won two Championships, one with Newcastle and one with Sydney, so he adds a lot of know-how,” Arnold said.
“He was a key part of my team in Beijing in 2008, and I think he will fit in very well with the culture here at the Mariners and with the playing group.”
Musialik-s initial contract ties him to the Yellow and Navy until the end of the 2012 Asian Champions League group stage.
