The Central Coast's championship defence has received a mighty boost with former Socceroos defender Trent Sainsbury returning to the A-League Men club that launched his career.
Sainsbury played 60 games for the Mariners, his first professional club, between 2010 and 2014 before embarking on a 10-year career overseas, most notably in the Netherlands.
The talented centre-back, 32, consulted with former teammate and current football director Matt Simon before signing a three-year deal with Mark Jackson's reigning champions.
"Iโm super excited to be returning to the Central Coast," Sainsbury said in a statement.
"Coming back here was always the option for me, a real full circle moment having made my professional debut for the club.
"I spoke with Jacko and Simmo and they gave me the feeling that this is the right place for me.
"What the team achieved last season was incredible, an amazing treble, and I canโt wait to add what I can to the club and squad.
"Itโs going to be a huge season, and Iโm ready to give everything to help the Mariners achieve more silverware."
Sainsbury, who has 61 Socceroos caps, represented Australia at the 2018 World Cup and was a crucial member of team that won the 2015 Asian Cup on home soil.
But the defender, who is coach Graham Arnold's son-in-law, was overlooked for the 2022 World Cup, instead watching on from the stands.
He returns to Australia after most recently playing in Qatar.
"We are absolutely delighted to get this signing over the line," Jackson said.
"We welcome Trent back to the club where it all began for him as a professional footballer."
Sainsbury's signing gives the Mariners a crucial boost after losing several key players post-finals.
Josh Nisbet, Max Balard, Jacob Farrell and the retired Danny Vukovic are among the departures.
