Elrich still had a year left on his deal with Fulham, but they agreed to release him after the transfer window closed with no offers coming in for him.

He missed all of last season after injuring himself playing for Australia against Kuwait in September 2006 when he twisted his knee badly after his boot got caught in the turf.

Fulham allowed him to return to Australia while he recovered, but Elrich was hoping to make a first team impact in the coming season alongside fellow Fulham Aussie, Adrian Leijer.

In May, he revealed he was well on the road to recovery, and added: “The knee feels fine. I’m now looking forward to coming back next season, bigger, better and stronger."

However the club has now confirmed on their website that he has been released.

Now he is tipped to sign up with Central Coast Mariners after Fulham reportedly paid out most of his outstanding contract when they released him.

The Mariners still have one spot left in their squad and room in the salary cap to fit the cash-rich Elrich.

Mariners' coach Lawrie McKinna coached Elrich when they were at NSL club Parramatta and is at the head of the queue to sign him now.

He admitted to Fox Sports: "Ahmad would take a significant pay cut if he returned to the A-League but it's going to be a football decision.

"I coached him all those years ago and he's a good lad. He's potentially brilliant with his pace and he'd fit in well with the way we play football."

However McKinna is also said to face competition from Wellington Phoenix as well as Turkish and Middle East clubs for the 26-year old's signature.

Although the transfer window is now closed, clubs are still allowed to sign players who are currently without a contract.