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Sterjovski was officially unveiled by the club today as their 22nd squad member and chairman Peter Turnbull stressed the 33 year old had been brought in under the salary cap and not as a marquee signing.

But his arrival coincides with the imminent exit of long-serving Mariners talisman Wilkinson who is currently in negotiations with an un-named Korean club (although not Sasa Ognenovski's former side, Seognam Ilhwa).

It's understood talks are at an advanced stage but both the Mariners and Wilkinson are hoping to improve the fee and salary package before finalising the deal.

Wilkinson's impending sale comes after striker Matt Simon and key midfielder Rostyn Griffiths were also sold to Asia earlier this year to help keep the club afloat during its cashflow crisis.

Today the Mariners insisted new investment was about to come on board at the club but said they would never stand in the way of players wanting to move overseas.

Wilkinson's likely departure to Asia comes as Sterjovski rejoined the A-League after leaving Perth Glory earlier this year for Dalian Aerbin in the Chinese Super League.

Sterjovski was delighted to return to Australia after an unsettled stint in the seaport city in China's north-east which took its toll on his family.

"I'm very glad to be back," he admitted as he was unveiled at the Mariners' training ground in Tuggerah today.

"China was very different. It was just a bit of a culture shock - it wasn't quite what I expected. I felt guilty having my family there. It wasn't easy.

"If I was there on my own, I could have done it without a problem but every time I left to go to a game or go to camp, I just felt guilty for leaving them.

"We are used to going out every day and going to a park, but where we were living, there were no parks. My wife couldn't go out and the traffic is crazy...everything just all added up.

"It just wasn't easy."

Now though, Sterjovski is eager to get back in the game - and even set for a role up front to help with striker duties if needbe.

"I've played in almost every position - except for a stopper - so wherever the coach needs me, I'll be playing," he said.

"In an A-League squad, because it's so small, my versatility will be important to the team. It's been a while since I played striker but the thought excites me.

"I'd like to be scoring goals again and being in a position to score goals again. My heart always tells me I want to play as a striker. because as a young kid, I always played there.

"Up until I moved to Europe, I was a striker - Lille bought me as a striker which is where I played for my first season there.

"But our right winger got injured and because I was quick, they put me there and I did well...and from that point on, my career in Europe was then as a left or right midfielder.

"I'm comfortable there - but I think with a bit of work, I could play as a striker again. I'll be wherever the coach wants me to play though, and happy to play there."

Sterjovski was impressed by what he saw of the Mariners last season and hopes the experience he brings can help them maintain and build on their run of success next year.

"They're the team everyone wanted to beat," he said today. "The sale of players probably disrupted the team a little bit and were probably unlucky not to get to the grand final.

"But I feel we can do that this year."

Today coach Graham Arnold hailed his latest star signing as one of the biggest in the A-League.

"You can put it right up there with Tony Vidmar and John Aloisi as an ex-Socceroo who's done so many good things with the national team and is now giving back to the A-League," said Arnold.

"We saw that with him in Perth but I think, with less travel here on the east coast, we'll get even more out of him."

    ___   >>>click here to see mile unveiled