Clisby joins Mariners A-League exodus

Less than a week after coach Alen Stajcic’s shock exit, Central Coast has bid farewell to veteran A-League club defender Jack Clisby.

The 29-year-old, a key part of the Mariners squad which finished third this season, returns to his hometown of Perth and has signed a two-year contract with Glory.

Joining the Mariners in 2018, Clisby made 71 league appearances for the Gosford-based club and won the Noel Spencer Goal of the Year award in his debut season.

Born in Perth, this will be Clisby’s second stint with Glory after making 31 appearances between 2013 and 2015.

He also played for Melbourne City and Western Sydney during his A-League career.

Clisby is expected to be far from the only player to leave the Mariners, who are looking for a new coach after Stajcic left last week.

With owner Mike Charlesworth having failed to find a buyer for the club after putting them on sale in August, there are fears the Mariners may be gutted after their promising season.

Youngster Alou Koul had already made a deal to join Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart at the end of the season and newly-selected Socceroo Ruon Tongyik are said to generate interest.

Playmaker Danny de Silva has also been heavily linked with a move to Macarthur FC.

Elsewhere, Brisbane Roar has confirmed the exit of the pair of strikers Dylan Wenzel-Halls and Golgol Mebrahtu.

Wenzel-Halls, who has scored 14 goals in 67 appearances for the Roar, has joined Western United on a three-year contract.