Central Coast Mariners can today confirm ambitious attacker Bernie Ibini has put pen to paper on a new two-season contract with the Club.

Having burst onto the Australian football scene via standout performances for the Yellow and Navy’s National Youth League (NYL) and Hyundai A-League team last season, Ibini has cemented his place as one of the nations’ top young talents this campaign.

In 17 matches for the Mariners this term Ibini has netted four times and made two assists – form which has made the 2011 Qantas Young Socceroos representative the target of a number of rival Hyundai A-League sides.

Nevertheless, Ibini today said he was pleased to extend his stay with the Club that gave him his first opportunity in professional football.

“They’ve [Central Coast Mariners] been my first professional Club and they’ve been really good to me so far,” Ibini said. “Hopefully I can continue to do well for the seasons that I’ve signed.”

Rewarded with promotion to the Yellow and Navy’s Hyundai A-League squad having finished the 2010/11 NYL season as top scorer with 12 goals, Ibini added that he feels the guidance of former Qantas Socceroos striker and mentor Graham Arnold has been invaluable to his development. As such, the opportunity to continue working with the wily tactician is an opportunity Ibini found too good to refuse.

“He’s (Arnold) already taught me a lot about my heading because he was a good header of the ball back in his day. He’s taught me a lot with my runs off the ball and stuff like that, so he’s been really good for me so far,” he said.

Mariners Head Coach Arnold welcomed the confirmation of Ibini’s capture for a further two Hyundai A-League campaigns, however emphasised that the striker still has plenty of work to do before he reaches his full potential.

“One thing that we tried to work on was getting our young boys re-signed and after Trent Sainsbury getting Bernie Ibini signed so quickly is fantastic for the Club. Now he can just concentrate on football,” Arnold said.

“Bernie’s shown at the end of last season and this season the talent that he’s got, but he’s just got to get stronger and got to spend more minutes on the field playing every week against grown men. “It’s a great experience for him with the ACL coming up and that’s going to develop him even more.”

Central Coast Mariners Chairman, Mr Peter Turnbull, added: “It’s one thing to continually be the Club that develops high quality, young Australian talent, but being able to sign them to extended contracts as first team regulars is another.”

“This is a great coup for the Central Coast Mariners and we look forward to seeing Bernie’s progression over the next two seasons,” Turnbull concluded.

Ibini’s re-signing adds to the Mariners’ recent retention of left full back Joshua Rose and defender Trent Sainsbury. Striker Mitchell Duke, midfielder Anthony Caceres and right side utility James Oates were also recently promoted to the Central Coast Mariners Hyundai A-League 2012/13 squad.