The Central Coast Mariners are pleased to announce the signing of Scottish defender, Ziggy Gordon who will join the Mariners ahead of the 2019/20 Hyundai A-League season.
The 26-year-old has played the majority of his professional career with Scottish Premier League side Hamilton Academical, along with appearances for Partick Thistle in Scotland and Polish sides Jagiellonia Białystok & Pogoń Siedlce.
With over seven years’ experience in the Scottish top flight, Gordon is motivated to take on a new challenge abroad.
“I’ve represented a top club in Poland where I played in the Europa League and tried to win the title there,” Gordon said. “I’ve played at another club in Scotland and I’ve played over 250 matches for the Hamilton Accies, and I think it was time to move on. I had a very good last season at Hamilton and the plan was to always play every minute of every game, and play the very best I possibly could and put myself in the position where I had options for the future,” Gordon said.
Gordon arrives on the Central Coast next week and is looking forward to joining the squad for their pre-season training, especially under the guidance of Head Coach Alen Stajcic.
“I had a lot of interest from clubs in Poland, England and other teams in Scotland but after speaking with Alen about two months ago, I really liked the person that he was,” Gordon said. “From the first conversation we had, I think he is a really honest and legitimate person who I could trust right away.
“I believe in his plans and his strategy for next season, and that’s something that never seemed to stray far away from my thoughts. Even when I was talking to other clubs, something about Alen and the Central Coast Mariners kept appealing to me. I thought this was the right time, and the right project to be involved with. I’m not willing to play for a team who isn’t striving to move up from the bottom of the table.
The experienced defender believes that he can contribute a lot to a young Mariners squad, both on and off the pitch.
“I bring a lot of experience for a relatively young professional,” Gordon said. “I’ve only just turned 26 and already played over 250 games of top level football. I think I bring a strong mentality with me, as well as leadership skills on and off the pitch.
“A sense of standard needs to be kept by all players and the club, and I hope to bring that as well as my commitment. I’m a 100% player – I know a lot of players say that, but that’s the least that should be expected. It’s something for me that I strive towards in every single training session and match, to give my absolute best.
“Last season I had the most tackles won in the Scottish Premier League so I’m definitely there to win the ball back and to give it to the players who can do something more special than I can,” Gordon said.
Head Coach Alen Stajcic believes the Scotsman will be a key leader within the team this season.
“We’re very excited to bring Ziggy to the Mariners,” Stajcic said. “He has played abroad in Poland at a high level, been a leader in the Scottish Premier League for Hamilton and to bring someone with that wealth of experience is going to be a great boost to our lineup. He is a natural leader, and holds high standards for himself and those around him.
“His commitment to Hamilton over the years shows a great sense of loyalty, and he certainly shows a great fighting spirit on the field. Ziggy is a very smart footballer, and his leadership qualities will be invaluable to our young boys, and help the team move up the ladder this season.” Stajcic said.
After putting pen-to-paper on a one year contract, Gordon will link up with his new teammates at the Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence next week.
Current Squad:
Jack CLISBY, Daniel DE SILVA, Giancarlo GALLIFUOCO, Ziggy GORDON, Jai INGHAM, Abraham MAJOK, Michael MCGLINCHEY, Jacob MELLING, Jordan MURRAY, Joshua NISBET, Tommy OAR, Adam PEARCE (GK), Kye ROWLES, Mario SHABOW, Samuel SILVERA, Matt SIMON, Ruon TONGYIK
