The Central Coast Mariners have signed Senegalese striker Malick Mane on loan for the upcoming A-League season.
The pacey marksman joins the club from top-flight Swedish outfit IFK Goteborg as a likely replacement for young forward Bernie Ibini, who defected to Sydney FC in May.
Mane has played almost a dozen games in Sweden’s Allsvenskan, and previously spent two years in Norway’s Tippeligaen with Sogndal and second-division team Sandefjord.
He’s also spent time in Kazakhstan playing for FK Aktobe and Casa Sport in his home country.
“My attributes are that I work hard for the team, and try and do everything for the team – especially scoring goals,” said the 25-year-old, who has a single cap for Senegal.
“(Alessandro) Del Piero played in Australia, so I am happy to play my football there.”
Mariners coach Phil Moss said he was confident he was coming to Australia for the right reasons and with the ambition to help the team succeed in the A-League.
“He’s a very powerful player, he’s pacey, he’s good in one-on-one situations, and he’s a natural finisher, so we’re delighted to have finalised his loan move,” Moss said.
“Along with Mitchell Duke, Matt Simon, Nick Fitzgerald, Isaka Cernak and Tom Slater, Malick Mane provides us with another strong option in attack.
“And, we hope to have another attacking recruit finalised over the coming days.”
Mane is due to arrive in Australia later this month.
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