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Ibini, 20, is set to stay with the Mariners for the remainder of the season as the blue and yellow chase an A-League Premiership and Championship double.

But it appears likely the talented Nigerian-born forward could be a Bruges player by the European off-season.

It’s understood that if the Belgian club sell one of their strike force it should clear a path for the 20-year-old to join the Jupiler League outfit, who had Ibini on trial for eight days in January.

Nothing is certain but Ibini hopes he can move to a country that’s producing a remarkable number of players for the English Premier League, and a football culture Ibini’s admired for some time.

“Growing up I always liked and knew of clubs like Club Bruges, Anderlecht even Genk," he told au.fourfourtwo.com after Tuesday's training session.

"They play outside their domestic competition in European competitions so they obviously have to be of a high standard

“The Mariners’ facilities are definitely good but multiply what we have a few times and that’s what you’ve got over there.

“And it’s a great country too.”

Ibini recalled his first day at the club as a low-key affair as he overcame jet lag with a gym session but admits to a few nerves when he joined the main group.

“Not many people knew who I was so my first training session was different.," he said. "Not many of them spoke English. You don’t know anyone so I just kept to myself.

“But overall out of 10, I’d give the trial a 10 out of 10 experience."

In Belgium, the striker experienced snow for the first time in his life and temperatures of -6C after a NSW summer that hit 40-plus degrees.

He added: "Just to go there and see how a European club works and to see their players and what level they’re at, it was a great experience.

“I gained a lot out of it." 

The club’s Spanish coach Juan Carlos Garrido was obviously impressed enough to suggest Ibini could make the transition in this coming European summer.

Ibini himself has his sights on one day making it in Belgium with either Spain or England as his dream leagues to play in.

Meanwhile, Ibini is set to continue his role wide right of the Mariners’ attack. It’s a position he says he’s enjoying as it gives him more licence to face defenders and run at them with his lightning pace.

“I enjoy it but actually as long as I’m playing it doesn’t bother me as long as I’m on the field playing," he said.

The Mariners play Wellington on Thursday night at Bluetongue Stadium.

It was originally offered to the club for a Sunday 3pm fixture, but with heat concerns and Friday night already taken by the Victory versus Adelaide clash, Thursday was allocated.

The team trained strongly on Tuesday at their Tuggerah base with coach Graham Arnold once again working on shape ahead of the visit of the Kiwi club.

Another three points will stave off the chasing pack of Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers. A loss and suddenly the top two becomes a real possibility for the Mariners’ rivals.

Underlining the importance of tomorrow's clash, Ibini, like coach Arnold, favours winning the home and away league as more important than the finals series.

“I know everyone here says the grand final is more important but I think winning the Premiership is definitely as important if not more [important] like it is in every other league," he said.

“It’s the one that’s’ been the most consistent. A finals series is very tough especially now with the teams not getting a second chance.

"It’s a lot more unfair but we’re going to try our best in both and see what happens." 

Ibini hailed Arnold’s meticulous preparation and structural work that has reaped great rewards for the club since he joined the club in 2010.

Though there is one drawback, Ibini joked: “He does like to yell a lot! Though that’s a good thing because he keeps you on your toes.”

As for the often-used “Weekend At Bernie’s” tagline often used for Ibini stories, the man himself pleads ignorance on the movie.

“I’ve had that line said to me too many times to remember,” he said with a giggle. “I haven’t ever even actually watched the movie!”

**In other news, Central Coast will today appeal a six game ban on fringe midfielder Adriano Pellegrino for allegedly spitting in last weekend’s youth league match.

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