The 19-year-old joins the Mariners from Brisbane Roar, who spent the last season under the guidance of John Aloisi.

Rowles becomes the Mariners' sixth signing this off-season, following Ben Kennedy, Alan Baro, Andrew Hoole, Antony Golec and Dutchman Tom Hiairej.

Central Coast are also expected to sign another Australia youth international, Danny De Silva, in the coming weeks.

The left back has represented Australia at the U17 FIFA World Cup, and said former Socceroo Paul Okon played a big part in getting him to the coast.

“A big influence on me coming to the Mariners has been Paul Okon," Rowles said.

"I have worked with him through the young Socceroos for a while and I like his coaching and his style of play.

“My goal is to break into the first XI and help the club as much as I can along the way."

Rowles joined the squad for his first training session this morning, with Okon impressed.

"Left-sided defenders are particularly hard to find, especially those that are comfortable in our playing style," Okon said.

"Kye has enormous potential which we hope to nurture and help continue his development into an A-League footballer."

The Mariners have allowed 10 players to leave this off-season, with young defender Michael Neill moving to Sydney United last week.

Paul Izzo, Roy O'Donovan, Ivan Necevski, Jacques Faty, Mickael Tavares, Fabio Ferreira, Nick Montgomery, Jacob Poscoliero and Scott Galloway have also left.