Birighitti bound for Mariners after splitting with City

Central Coast Mariners are primed to snap up Mark Birighitti as their nominal number one for the new season, after the gloveman negotiated a mutual release from Melbourne City.

Melbourne City goalkeeper Mark Birighitti Source: Icon Sportswire

The 28-year-old goalkeeper, who made his name in the A-League with Newcastle Jets, didn’t get a look-in at City last season as understudy to veteran shot-stopper Eugene Galekovic. He was contracted to City until 2021.

And he was facing another year of playing second fiddle - this time to returning Eredivisie loanee Dean Bouzanis - before the Mariners stepped in.

Birighitti is earmarked to replace Ben Kennedy between the sticks in Gosford after the latter was released by new coach Alen Stajcic.

Prior to Birighitti’s impending capture, the Mariners had just one keeper on there books in 22-year-old Adam Pearce, who has made just five senior appearances.

Perth-born Birighitti, who has a single Socceroos cap, arrived at City from NAC Breda - for whom he made 16 appearances.

He had a brief spell at Swansea City before that without breaking into the first team.

Central Coast Mariners were contacted for comment.