New Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold has lured talented young striker Bernie Ibini away from former club Central Coast, leaving the Mariners fuming at his new deal at the Sky Blues.
Sydney FC on Monday announced the 21-year-old had signed a one-year loan deal from Chinese side Shanghai Dongyam, becoming Arnold’s first recruit at the club.
The deal re-unites Ibini with his former mentor, who he’d played under for three seasons at the Mariners.
Ibini left the Mariners last June, but after failing to settle in China and following the death of his father last year, he re-joined them on a six-month loan deal.
The Central Coast had agreed terms with Shanghai to extended the deal until the end of the 2014/15 season but Sydney FC bettered the cash-strapped Mariners’ offer.
Mariners coach Phil Moss, who took over from Arnold last November, says he did everything he could to keep the striker at the club.
“It is obviously disappointing to be losing a player of Bernie’s potential, especially given the amount of faith we have shown in him and hours we have put into him,” Mariners coach Phil Moss said.
“We understand that Sydney offered a financially superior deal to both Bernie and Shanghai.
“While we may not have been able to match these amounts we were given no right of reply by Bernie’s agent, which is extremely disappointing.
“We did everything in our power to keep Bernie Ibini at the Mariners, however he has chosen to continue his career in Sydney and we can now only wish him well for the road ahead.”
It was under Arnold’s guidance at the Mariners that Ibini made his A-League first-team debut in 2010, becoming a key player in the side over his three seasons and an integral part of the championship-winning team last year.
When Arnold was appointed as the Sydney FC coach last week, the club made it clear they were targeting Ibini.
The youngster said he was excited to be re-uniting with Arnold.
“I’m very happy to be working with Graham Arnold again and having heard his and the club’s big plans for the future, everything is going in the right direction,” he said.
“The timing of the move was perfect for me. Not having to travel as far and being able to be closer to home will definitely be a good thing for me and help me perform to the best of my ability.”
Arnold believes the striker will excite fans with his style of football.
“Bernie is a great acquisition for the club and I’m convinced he’ll be a fan favourite,” he said.
“He’s an exciting player, a goal scorer and also a Sydney boy. He’s just the type of player we need to recruit.”
Bondy
Guest
I dont think Bernie's overrated, he's a decent kid with a future in football his decisions Internationally thus far in his career among other young HAL players mind you have been naive and rushed, I believe .
Magila Cutty
Guest
What a come down for SFC, from the poetry of ADP to the dross of Arnold. It'll end in tears.
tommaso
Guest
I'd like to see Ibini develop into a good player that can eventually play overseas as at the moment he is very ordinary and overrated tbh
RBBAnonymous
Guest
The good old Mariners whinge. Its funny how the Mariners claim that Ibini has been snatched from the Mariners when he isn't even a Mariners player. Takes whinging to a whole new level, absolutely brilliant. Even the appointment of Clarke is another one that somehow rankles the Mariners faithful. Imagine if Sydney signs up McGlinchey, if ever happens they might have to relocate the sauce bottles.
Kyle Stewart
Roar Pro
i agree
Reginald Bomber
Roar Guru
Why are Mariners fuming at Arnold. Arnold didn't want to sell him when he was at Mariners, but Mariners sold him to Shanghai for a few sheckels then they had to buy him back on loan. Now SFC bought him off Shanghai for a few sheckels for a loan spell of one year. How is this any of Arnold's fault? CCM got the half million and will spend it on another good up and coming Sydney junior who they enticed to their academy. CCM are the ones stealing players from SFC, not the other way around. Ibini was originally from Sydney and played in their youth comp.
Titus
Guest
Never seen Kalik play....Liam, no.....Rose, no....Cacaeras, maybe but not needed......Storm, maybe, not needed.
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
McGlinchey is off-contract.
Mato-Bateman
Guest
He wants to be closer to his family after his father died. So, I assume he will live in Western Sydney. Perfectly understandable decision. He could really thrive in Sydney under Arnie.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Growth both for Arnold and Ibini... If I recall correctly didn't Ibini come home on loan from China partly for family reasons? Playing for Sydney might mean less travel, although that can be relative depending on locations. Hopefully his family issues are sorted and he can continue to grow and even make it overseas.
Bondy
Guest
This appointment of Arnold will be one of the most interesting of the A League season next year, as a Mariners season ticket holder for some years now Graham's lived off the back of the Little Aussie Battlers with the Mariners ,there'll be none of that now at the most demanding football club in the league in relation to style, presentation and a fluid sharp dynamic attacking game/match, where at the Mariners he was accused of delivering nothing more than a tight defensive structure and possibly decent transition into attack (counter attacking). Sydney FC want or in fact demand a dynamic football team/culture and experience on match day, will Arnold be able to deliver such requests ?. Time will tell but he's now got the capital to do so, I hope overall he and Sydney FC achieve their goals. One statement that concerns me there a little is Bernie suggests he's a little closer to home now not having to travel up the F3, as a Professional Footballer you're meant to see Football as Global not conveniently local. If Bernie wants to advance as a Pro Footballer which I think he can the world will not come to you, you have to travel to it. There'll be an even greater rivalry now between the two clubs which was healthy anyway. Bring on HAL 10..
Midfielder
Guest
T Kalik & Liam Rose ... it would be all out war ... add Storm to that list ... and maybe Cacaeres
Franko
Guest
Vukovic is most likely to be between the sticks next year I'd imagine.
Titus
Guest
I honestly don't think there are any others worth going after, McGlinchey maybe but I am unsure of his contract status.
vinnie
Guest
LOL @ future socceroo, if he sets the bar for future socceroos then there is not much to look forward to.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Don't know how many more future-ex-Mariners Arnold will lure south but he has form when he went to Vegalta Sendai. Expect a few more to follow before he gets a right royal bollocking from his former club...
Midfielder
Guest
IMO a future Socceroo.... SFC have made an excellent signing and Mariners fans are fuming at Arnold ...
AZ_RBB
Guest
Can't say I watch Ibini play week in week out. But his performance against WSW was excellent, every time he touched the ball he was effective and dangerous. I don't think CCM's approach against Adelaide helped Ibini shine in that match but he was quite strong each time they countered. Still a young guy with a lot to learn.
Kurt
Guest
Turncoat
Franko
Guest
I have trouble with Ibini. I thought he was terrible against Adelaide in the finals, yet, he popped up and scored. I think he's been a pretty poor player, and largely overrated, yet a Chinese mob paid over $500k for him and then came back and scored 6 in 16, which is very handy. ------ “He’s an exciting player, a goal scorer and also a Sydney boy. He’s just the type of player we need to recruit.” Reminds me of PSG under Luis Fernandez when they set about signing boys from the departments of Île-de-France - Anelka, Dehu, Didier Domi, Mendy all came back to the Capital, they had a pretty good year, I think Ronaldinho came in around the same time.