Saturday 16 January 2016 11:58, UK
Central Coast Mariners have signed former Liverpool midfielder Luis Garcia for the remainder of the A-League season.
The 37-year-old Spain international, who came out of retirement in 2014 to play in the Indian Super League, will make his Mariners debut against Western Sydney Wanderers on January 23.
Garcia, who played 77 games for Liverpool between 2004 and 2007, is set to replace Anthony Caceres, who has joined Manchester City, in the Mariners' midfield and will be tasked with helping the team pull away from the bottom of the A-League standings.
He has signed for the Mariners after scoring two goals for a Liverpool Legends team in their 4-0 victory over Australia Legends in Sydney earlier this month.
"This is an exciting challenge for me to play in the Hyundai A-League and with such a progressive club like the Mariners," said Garcia, who also played for Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
"One of the things that attracted me to the club was the opportunity to share my experience with a young playing group. I am also looking forward to playing football in one of the most beautiful places in the world."
Mariners chief executive Shaun Mielekamp said: "This is a huge opportunity for not only the Central Coast Mariners and the Central Coast region but also for football in Australia.
"It continues our journey towards becoming the most entertaining, innovative and community minded sports brand in Australia."
