Central Coast Mariners have signed former Premier League defender Kalifa Cisse ahead of the 2018/19 A-League season.
The Mariners, who are rebuilding under new coach Mike Mulvey after finishing bottom of the table last season, have now brought in three defenders.
Having seen 10 players depart since the end of 2017/18, the Gosford club have taken their total of new arrivals to eight by recruiting former Reading player Cisse.
The five-cap Mali international has also played for Derby County and Bristol City in England, as well as Portuguese side Boavista and MLS outfit New England Revolution.
Born in France, Cisse had a junior career with Toulouse, but moved to Portugal to sign his first professional deal with Boavista in 2005.
The 34-year-old played under Mulvey at his most recent club, BEC Tero Sasana in the Thai League 1.
Cisse, who has also previously worked with Mariners elite performance coach Andrew Young, said: "When the opportunity came up for me to join the Central Coast Mariners it was an easy decision - the club is very ambitious and I can't wait to get started.
"We have a really young team here at the moment, so I bring experience into the team. I really want to help the young players to grow - that's one of my highest priorities."
Mulvey said one of Cisse's big strengths was his leadership, adding: "We know he will be a solid voice at the back, he will nurture the younger players - so he is a very good acquisition for the team and we're really excited to get him in with the team."
Central Coast are 25/1 to win the 2019 Grand Final, while the Sky Blues are 75/1 to win the minor premiership.
View all Soccer betting
Central Coast Mariners have signed former Premier League defender Kalifa Cisse ahead of the 2018/19 A-League season.
The Mariners, who are rebuilding under new coach Mike Mulvey after finishing bottom of the table last season, have now brought in three defenders.
Having seen 10 players depart since the end of 2017/18, the Gosford club have taken their total of new arrivals to eight by recruiting former Reading player Cisse.
The five-cap Mali international has also played for Derby County and Bristol City in England, as well as Portuguese side Boavista and MLS outfit New England Revolution.
Born in France, Cisse had a junior career with Toulouse, but moved to Portugal to sign his first professional deal with Boavista in 2005.
The 34-year-old played under Mulvey at his most recent club, BEC Tero Sasana in the Thai League 1.
Cisse, who has also previously worked with Mariners elite performance coach Andrew Young, said: "When the opportunity came up for me to join the Central Coast Mariners it was an easy decision - the club is very ambitious and I can't wait to get started.
"We have a really young team here at the moment, so I bring experience into the team. I really want to help the young players to grow - that's one of my highest priorities."
Mulvey said one of Cisse's big strengths was his leadership, adding: "We know he will be a solid voice at the back, he will nurture the younger players - so he is a very good acquisition for the team and we're really excited to get him in with the team."
Central Coast are 25/1 to win the 2019 Grand Final, while the Sky Blues are 75/1 to win the minor premiership.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com