Socceroo Trent Sainsbury is returning to the Central Coast thanks to a three-year deal with the Central Coast Mariners.
The 32-year-old has spent the past 10 years playing overseas, originally departing the Mariners in 2014 for Eredivisie outfit PEC Zwolle.
During his initial stint with the Mariners, where he made his professional debut against Newcastle in November 2010, he was a standout.
He won the 2012/13 A-League Championship, the Mariners’ first, while also being named Player of the Year in that same campaign.
This was his first as a regular starter in his professional career, with Sainsbury spending another six months on the Coast before departing for Holland.
During his time with PEC Zwolle, Sainsbury added two further pieces of silverware to his cabinet – the Dutch Cup and the Dutch Super Cup.
While he was with them, Sainsbury also played a crucial role in Australia winning the 2015 Asian Cup on home soil.
The defender played every minute that campaign, scoring in the semi-final before putting a Player of the Match performance in against South Korea to help the Socceroos win the tournament.
In total, Sainsbury has made 61 appearances for the Australian Men’s National Team, making the Socceroos squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and featuring in all three of its group stage matches.
He left PEC Zwolle in 2016 for Chinese Super League club Jiangsu FC, before notably signing for Inter Milan on loan, as well as Swiss outfit Grasshopper Club.
Sainsbury has also featured for Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, Maccabi Haifa and Kortrijk, while he most recently played for Qatari side Al-Wakrah SC.
“I’m super excited to be returning to the Central Coast,” he said.
“Coming back here was always the option for me, a real full circle moment having made my professional debut for the club.
“What the team achieved last season was incredible, an amazing treble, and I can’t wait to add what I can to the club and squad.
“It’s going to be a huge season, and I’m ready to give everything to help the Mariners achieve more silverware.”
Mariners Head Coach Mark Jackson said Sainsbury had played at the highest level, had vast experience in the game and was a real leader on the pitch.
“He is exactly what we need in the group,” Jackson said.
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