The Central Coast Mariners are excited to announce the signing of 24-year-old central defender Tomislav Uskok who joins the Yellow & Navy for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 season. Tomi joins the Mariners after captaining his boyhood club, Melbourne Knights during the 2015 Victorian NPL season.

Uskok arrived in NSW to join NSW NPL outfit, Sydney United 58 but has now signed his first professional contract after trialling with the Mariners and impressing Head Coach Tony Walmsley.

The imposing centre half is eager to cement his spot in Walmsley’s starting 11 and joined his new team mates for training today at the Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence. Uskok also touched on his excitement towards being involved with Walmsley’s attacking and entertaining brand of football.

“I’m excited, just looking forward to the challenge and getting started with the club,” Uskok said. I was at Melbourne Knights, I’ve been there for a few years now and grew up with that club and I captained them this year.

“I want to push myself towards a starting berth and go from there, I think I’m capable, that’s what I’m here to do, I’m not here to make up numbers.

“I want to establish myself in the team and give back to the club for giving me an opportunity and as a team you want to progress into winning silverware and I want to be a part of that.”

“I’m very thankful, not many people look at NPL players but Tony’s shown that he’s willing to give people a go from the NPL with guys like Dan [Heffernan]. For a semi-professional environment the standard of play is very good, there’s definitely players in every team that are A-League level.

“The boys here are really good, I didn’t know what to expect but everyone gets along really well from what I’ve seen.

“When you play football you want to play an attacking and attractive brand of football and I think that’s what Tony’s got going, as a footballer you want to play in an attacking team and I think the Central Coast is doing that at the moment.”

Walmsley has continued the club’s mantra of giving young Australian players a chance and is confident that Uskok will be a perfect fit.

“Tomi trialled during pre-season after I’d watched him captain Melbourne Knights,” Walmsley said. He impressed us then but we couldn’t bring him into the squad due to numbers.

“When he came in pre-season he impressed us with his character and attributes, he’s six foot five and quite elegant in possession with a good range of passing.

“He will push for a place at centre back as well as a holding midfielder and joins us at a good time for both the Club & Tomi.

“As a central defender you’d like to think that in two weeks he could be available for selection but right now looking at the games ahead, we play Sunday into Thursday that might be too soon but you never know.”