THE Mariners have swooped to sign Senegalese defender Jacques Faty after the 32-year-old left Sydney FC with immediate effect.

As the Sky Blues began what threatens to be a substantial clear-out in the wake of a hugely disappointing A-League season, it’s understood Faty has already signed a deal with the Central Coast to join Tony Walmsley’s youthful squad.

Though it’s understood the Senegalese centreback had played enough games to trigger another year with the Sky Blues, he was not at training on Monday and had already agreed terms to move on.

media_camera Jacques Faty will join Central Coast Mariners next season. Picture: Colleen Petch.

It’s the first in what is likely to be a series of departures, as Sydney look to rebuild their squad after a hugely underwhelming A-League campaign. Faty had joined Sydney in January last year along with cousin Mickael Tavares, but with Tavares not even on the bench for the past two games, speculation is likely to increase about his own future, despite having another year to run on his contract.

It’s believed Tavares is on the Mariners’ radar too, with Walmsley making clear his need to recruit experience through the team’s spine, and Sydney would be unlikely to stand in his way in the event of an offer.

Faty left Sydney after 30 games, having struggled to reach the form he showed in helping Graham Arnold’s side to the grand final next season, but will now be given the task of bringing experience and leadership to a squad that finished bottom of the A-League having conceded a record number of goals.

It will definitely be the first a series of departures from Sydney, although the timing of some will be dictated by the Asian Champions League, in which Sydney have paradoxically made excellent progress.

Faty had been left out of the ACL squad along with marquee Filip Holosko and hence was able to leave Sydney immediately.

In a statement, Arnold said: “Jacques has given great service to the club and played an integral part in our record breaking season last year. We thank him for the time he has given to Sydney FC and wish him all the best for the future.”

Sydney brushed aside Perth 4-0 on Sunday in what was easily their best A-League performance for months, and need only a point next week at home to Urawa Red Diamonds to qualify for the last 16 of the ACL.