John Aloisi Returns Home

[No Use For A Name]

In case you missed it or haven't heard yet John Aloisi has returned home and will play for central coast mariners after reaching an agreement. So how does everyone think he will go in the A-League? Match fitness will be down as he's been without a club for a while but you'd still have to think he has a decent number of goals in him. Looking forward to watching him play anyway.

Australia's World Cup hero John Aloisi will link with Hyundai A-League club Central Coast for the remainder of this season.

Aloisi, the man who sent the Qantas Socceroos to the 2006 World Cup with his memorable spot kick against Uruguay, confirmed the signing on Saturday.

The 31-year-old striker has played the majority of his career in Europe, most recently Spain.

He said the Mariners were the perfect fit for his long-awaited homecoming.

"I have made my intentions clear that I have wanted to return to Australia and contribute to the Hyundai A-League and I am delighted to be able to be a part of the league and look forward to getting on the pitch," Aloisi said.

"Since the Hyundai A-League began, it's been an attractive option to play in and I felt now was the right time to return as I am still intending to play for a number of years."

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Central Coast Mariners for offering me the chance to play in the Hyundai A-League and have been impressed by their professionalism during the past few days, in particular the efforts of Lyall Gorman and Peter Turnbull."

Aloisi's management group said there had been significant interest in the former Adelaide-born forward.

"There have been a large number of clubs making offers to John over the past five months, and we are very grateful and flattered by all their interest," said Paddy Dominguez of Inspire Sports Management.

"John has been waiting for a deal that he felt completely comfortable with before committing himself and has been in no rush to sign something for the sake of signing."

"John is a much loved and respected bloke and a firm favourite with the Australian football supporters, and he will add serious commercial value to both the Mariners and the Hyundai A-League in general."

this is a really god signing for central coast mariners. hope he preforms well.

[big_nath1987]

This is great news to hear, for two reasons:

1. Aloisi should still be playing, he is still a top-class striker and needs to be getting game time. I say this as I really, really would love to see Aloisi become the Socceroos all-time top scorer, can't wait for that day.

2. For the Mariners sake. After watching them against my beloved Roar last weekend, showed me how bad a state they are in at the moment with injuries and loosing players for the U-23's. Lawrie needed to get just a bit more depth in his squad so he doesn't come to the point where he has only two subs to choose from. And for the side that is/was the front runners for the season they shouldn't be loosing pace this early.

But anyhows it's great to see Aloisi back home, adding to the Australian experienced players and providing more entertainment in the league.

[choppo]

i only just heard about it from theworldgame.com.au ....but i am SO excited. absolutely love aloisi, he is pretty much my fav aus player...and tbh when mariners next play against victory im prob supporting mariners just cos i want aloisis to score a bucketload!

I wonder how much money he is on.

Does anybody know?

[No Use For A Name]

He just had to score 2 goals against Adelaide didn't he!

haha yup he sure did