Central Coast received a boost before Tuesday s AFC Champions League clash with Nagoya Grampus with news Pedj Bojic had inked a new two-year deal.
And in another boost for the Mariners defensive stocks, it was also revealed on Tuesday that former Gold Coast United centre back Zac Anderson had joined the club.
Right back Bojic, who joined the Mariners in 2008, signed a deal that will keep him in Gosford until the end of the 2013/14 A-League campaign.
Last season the 28-year-old made 27 appearances for Graham Arnold s team, along the way notching up his 100th A-League game, and he said he was delighted to secure his future with the club.
It s satisfying to know that I’ve got my contract sorted and that I am staying at the club that I have been at for so long, Bojic said.
I m looking to take my game to another level next season. Extra hard work is going to be put in place, and I ll be looking at polishing off areas of my game where there needs to be more consistency.
Bojic said he was looking forward to renewing his partnership with right-sided midfielder Michael McGlinchey, who he formed a formidable pairing with last term.
Me and Mikey were pretty good this year, we got a lot of assists down that right side, he said. It is a fruitful partnership that we can hopefully look to build on next season.
For the time being I just want to take my game to the highest level possible, and win everything with the Mariners that we can.
Anderson, 21, spent three seasons on the Gold Coast, making 14 appearances for the strugglers last season, and he said that Arnold s decision to remain with Central Coast had been pivotal to his decision.
I’m really looking forward to the opportunity, Anderson said. I’m very lucky that the Central Coast Mariners and Arnie have given me the opportunity to go down south and work under their guidance.
That (Arnold s decision to stay) was one of the biggest reasons why I have signed with the Mariners. First and foremost though, the club has had some great success and all the signs are looking as if that success will continue.