De Silva signs three-year Mariners deal
Jul 7, 2017 - 6:22 AM Central Coast have completed the long-expected signing of Daniel De Silva, recruiting the highly-rated playmaker on a three-year A-League deal.Ex-Perth Glory man De Silva has been without a club since leaving Dutch side Roda JC in January, after injury and lack of game time.
In a coup for the Mariners, the 20-year-old De Silva reunites with his former Young Socceroos coach Paul Okon to kick-start his stalled career.
"Paolo gave me so many opportunities as a young player, he took me to the under-20 World Cup," De Silva said.
"I love the brand of football he plays and instils into the players, so that was a big factor for me deciding to come to this club.
"I've worked with him previously and really enjoyed it so I am looking forward to working with him full time this season."
At this point, De Silva's wages will sit inside the salary cap.
However, it's understood he may be moved outside the cap as a marquee depending how much the Mariners spend on an import striker, among other players.
De Silva was hailed as a teenage prodigy when he signed for Italian giant AS Roma from the Glory in 2015 and earned a Socceroos call-up.
That dream move soon turned into a loan to the Eredivisie, where he made only 16 appearances across two seasons with Roda.
Despite the struggle for minutes, De Silva's talent was recognised by Italian publication Tuttosport, who nominated him for the Golden Boy award for the best young talent in Europe.
De Silva has spent the past few months in a strength and conditioning program back home in Perth in readiness for his A-League comeback.
His Mariners signing follows that of Dutch midfielder Tom Hiariej, Spanish defender Alan Baro and winger Andrew Hoole, in a sign the Gosford-based battlers mean business this season.
Okon is on the hunt for a striker and a goalkeeper to round out his squad.
Source: AAP
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