Mariners sign keeper Izzo from Adelaide

Young goalkeeper Paul Izzo has joined Central Coast on a two-year deal after the 20-year-old was granted a release by Adelaide United.

Izzo will head north to Gosford next week in a bid for regular game time after seven A-League appearances for the Reds during three seasons playing second fiddle to Eugene Galekovic.

The regular Young Socceroo will fill the goalkeeping spot vacated by gloveman Matthew Nash, who stepped up to coaching duties on Tuesday following John Crawley’s departure to Sydney FC.

He’ll provide Liam Reddy with stiff competition for the No.1 starting spot.

Izzo said it was a difficult decision to leave a good environment in Adelaide where he’d learnt a lot under the guidance of goalkeeping coach Peter Blazincic and Galekovic.

But it was ultimately the right one.

“My agent gave me a call saying that there was an opportunity to come to the Mariners, and seeing the past success they’ve had here with goalkeepers I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to grow as a player and even a person.

“I want to train the best I can to give the coach a headache, and that can only be a good thing for the team.”

Coach Tony Walmsley said Izzo fits the profile of a player who can make a name for himself in Australia, then succeed in Europe.

“Liam Reddy is coming off an excellent season and Paul is under no illusions as to the scale of his challenge here,” Walmsley said.

“But it’s a challenge he is prepared to take on and we are delighted to add him to our playing group.”