Central Coast Mariners today revealed arguably the biggest recruitment coup in A-League history by signing Socceroo legend John Aloisi for season three.
To relive Aloisi's finest Socceroo moments...
Responsible for the recently recognised greatest moment in Australian sporting history, 31-year-old Aloisi, assisted by the personal support of John Singleton’s Bluetongue Brewery, has been signed by the Mariners for the remainder of their 2007/08 campaign.
Aloisi has opted to ply his trade in Australia’s top flight after spending the past 15 years of his hugely successful domestic career in Europe as "testament to the enhanced standing of the Hyundai A-League in the world football landscape," according to the club.
"Furthermore, Aloisi’s decision to join the Mariners is perhaps the most poignant endorsement yet of the Central Coast’s unwavering ambition to become the centre of excellence for football in Australia."
Aloisi will arrive on the Central Coast in the coming days, before accelerating preparations for his Mariners' debut in future weeks.
It will be Aloisi’s first domestic football appearance on home soil in nearly two decades and one that is sure to incite a fever-pitch response from Mariners fans and Australian football fans alike.
"John Aloisi playing in the Hyundai A-League – put simply, what a momentous achievement this is for the Central Coast Mariners and for the progression of Australian football," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
"We are understandably delighted to be welcoming a player of John’s stature to our club and we view this as a very significant milestone in achieving our very realistic goal of becoming the centre of excellence for football in Australia.
"Whilst paying tribute to John’s outstanding achievements for his country in the past, we must also remember that here is a player that still forms an integral piece of Australia’s future international ambitions.
"The thought of one of Australia’s true sporting icons running out on Bluetongue Stadium and representing the Central Coast region to a national and international audience is one to take the breath away.
"I, along with all Australian football enthusiasts, am eagerly anticipating John’s contribution to what has already been a very successful season for the Mariners."
Gorman also paid tribute to John Singleton and Bluetongue for their support of Aloisi and the Mariners.
"John Singleton has been a fantastic and passionate supporter of the Central Coast and the Mariners," he said.
"We are indebted to him and Bluetongue for supporting John Aloisi and of course for his ongoing support of the Mariners through Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium."
Singleton added: "Helping to bring John Aloisi into the Central Coast region is Bluetongue’s way of saying thank you to Lawrie McKinna, the Mariners and the people of the Central Coast and Hunter regions."
Aloisi is the only Australian footballer in history to have competed in Europe’s three major leagues – the English Premier League, the Serie A in Italy and Spain’s La Liga. Aloisi comes to the Central Coast having most recently starred for Spanish outfit Deportivo Alaves.
Aloisi’s 27 goals at international level sees him boast the second greatest Socceroos goals tally of all time – behind another player to have worn the yellow and navy of the Mariners, Damian Mori.
Some of Aloisi’s goals are among the most famous ever witnessed in Socceroo matches, including his match sealing strike against Japan at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and his prolific four goal return at the 2005 Confederations Cup, also in Germany.
However, one moment that does not contribute to Aloisi’s official national team register is unquestionably the most cherished of them all.
On 16 November, 2005, Aloisi changed the course of Australian football and wrote an unforgettable chapter of Australian sporting folklore by guiding home the winning penalty of Australia’s absorbing shoot out win over Uruguay to confirm the Qantas Socceroos’ participation at their first FIFA World Cup in 32 years.
Another one of the Socceroos’ heroes that evening, defender Tony Vidmar, is one member of the Mariners’ playing roster to have played alongside Aloisi previously, while would be strike partner Sasho Petrovski made his international debut after replacing Aloisi in the inaugural AFC/OFC Challenge Cup against Japan in Shizuoka in 2001
"Our coaching staff and playing squad have made an exceptional start to the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season and we see John’s recruitment as one that will further strengthen our ambitions for trophies in season three," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
"We are an ambitious club and I’m confident that by adding John to our existing playing roster, we have assembled the strongest Mariners line up in our short history and indeed, there is great cause for optimism moving forward.
"This year has seen one stepping stone after another put in place to ensure an outstanding future for our club."
He added: "The acceleration of this journey has undoubtedly come from the infusion of major shareholder Peter Turnbull into the mix.
"Peter has been an integral part of the negotiations to secure John’s signature and his passion, understanding of and vision for the game is second to none.
"There is no doubt that Peter’s presence has taken our ambition to new levels as is evidenced by the signing of John."
The Mariners’ Hyundai A-League season continues away to the Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium this Sunday, 21 October. Kick off is at 2pm AEST.
The Mariners are next at home in Round 11, when they host reigning Hyundai A-League champions the Melbourne Victory on Sunday, 4 November. Kick off is at 5pm.
Aloisi is not expected to fly to Wellington for the match but will join his new team mates for training next week.
John Aloisi
Date of Birth 5 February, 1976
Place of Birth Adelaide, Australia
Height 184cm
Weight 83kg
Position Striker
Previous Clubs 1991-92 Adelaide City; 1992-93 Standard Liege (Belgium); 1993-95 Royal Antwerp (Belgium); 1995-97 Cremonese (Italy); 1997-98 Portsmouth (England); 1998-2001 Coventry City (England); 2001-05 Osasuna (Spain); 2005-07 Deportivo Alaves (Spain)
International Honours 55 appearances, 27 goals
To relive Aloisi's finest Socceroo moments...
Responsible for the recently recognised greatest moment in Australian sporting history, 31-year-old Aloisi, assisted by the personal support of John Singleton’s Bluetongue Brewery, has been signed by the Mariners for the remainder of their 2007/08 campaign.
Aloisi has opted to ply his trade in Australia’s top flight after spending the past 15 years of his hugely successful domestic career in Europe as "testament to the enhanced standing of the Hyundai A-League in the world football landscape," according to the club.
"Furthermore, Aloisi’s decision to join the Mariners is perhaps the most poignant endorsement yet of the Central Coast’s unwavering ambition to become the centre of excellence for football in Australia."
Aloisi will arrive on the Central Coast in the coming days, before accelerating preparations for his Mariners' debut in future weeks.
It will be Aloisi’s first domestic football appearance on home soil in nearly two decades and one that is sure to incite a fever-pitch response from Mariners fans and Australian football fans alike.
"John Aloisi playing in the Hyundai A-League – put simply, what a momentous achievement this is for the Central Coast Mariners and for the progression of Australian football," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
"We are understandably delighted to be welcoming a player of John’s stature to our club and we view this as a very significant milestone in achieving our very realistic goal of becoming the centre of excellence for football in Australia.
"Whilst paying tribute to John’s outstanding achievements for his country in the past, we must also remember that here is a player that still forms an integral piece of Australia’s future international ambitions.
"The thought of one of Australia’s true sporting icons running out on Bluetongue Stadium and representing the Central Coast region to a national and international audience is one to take the breath away.
"I, along with all Australian football enthusiasts, am eagerly anticipating John’s contribution to what has already been a very successful season for the Mariners."
Gorman also paid tribute to John Singleton and Bluetongue for their support of Aloisi and the Mariners.
"John Singleton has been a fantastic and passionate supporter of the Central Coast and the Mariners," he said.
"We are indebted to him and Bluetongue for supporting John Aloisi and of course for his ongoing support of the Mariners through Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium."
Singleton added: "Helping to bring John Aloisi into the Central Coast region is Bluetongue’s way of saying thank you to Lawrie McKinna, the Mariners and the people of the Central Coast and Hunter regions."
Aloisi is the only Australian footballer in history to have competed in Europe’s three major leagues – the English Premier League, the Serie A in Italy and Spain’s La Liga. Aloisi comes to the Central Coast having most recently starred for Spanish outfit Deportivo Alaves.
Aloisi’s 27 goals at international level sees him boast the second greatest Socceroos goals tally of all time – behind another player to have worn the yellow and navy of the Mariners, Damian Mori.
Some of Aloisi’s goals are among the most famous ever witnessed in Socceroo matches, including his match sealing strike against Japan at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and his prolific four goal return at the 2005 Confederations Cup, also in Germany.
However, one moment that does not contribute to Aloisi’s official national team register is unquestionably the most cherished of them all.
On 16 November, 2005, Aloisi changed the course of Australian football and wrote an unforgettable chapter of Australian sporting folklore by guiding home the winning penalty of Australia’s absorbing shoot out win over Uruguay to confirm the Qantas Socceroos’ participation at their first FIFA World Cup in 32 years.
Another one of the Socceroos’ heroes that evening, defender Tony Vidmar, is one member of the Mariners’ playing roster to have played alongside Aloisi previously, while would be strike partner Sasho Petrovski made his international debut after replacing Aloisi in the inaugural AFC/OFC Challenge Cup against Japan in Shizuoka in 2001
"Our coaching staff and playing squad have made an exceptional start to the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season and we see John’s recruitment as one that will further strengthen our ambitions for trophies in season three," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
"We are an ambitious club and I’m confident that by adding John to our existing playing roster, we have assembled the strongest Mariners line up in our short history and indeed, there is great cause for optimism moving forward.
"This year has seen one stepping stone after another put in place to ensure an outstanding future for our club."
He added: "The acceleration of this journey has undoubtedly come from the infusion of major shareholder Peter Turnbull into the mix.
"Peter has been an integral part of the negotiations to secure John’s signature and his passion, understanding of and vision for the game is second to none.
"There is no doubt that Peter’s presence has taken our ambition to new levels as is evidenced by the signing of John."
The Mariners’ Hyundai A-League season continues away to the Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium this Sunday, 21 October. Kick off is at 2pm AEST.
The Mariners are next at home in Round 11, when they host reigning Hyundai A-League champions the Melbourne Victory on Sunday, 4 November. Kick off is at 5pm.
Aloisi is not expected to fly to Wellington for the match but will join his new team mates for training next week.
John Aloisi
Date of Birth 5 February, 1976
Place of Birth Adelaide, Australia
Height 184cm
Weight 83kg
Position Striker
Previous Clubs 1991-92 Adelaide City; 1992-93 Standard Liege (Belgium); 1993-95 Royal Antwerp (Belgium); 1995-97 Cremonese (Italy); 1997-98 Portsmouth (England); 1998-2001 Coventry City (England); 2001-05 Osasuna (Spain); 2005-07 Deportivo Alaves (Spain)
International Honours 55 appearances, 27 goals
To relive Aloisi's finest Socceroo moments...
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