Former Bristol City defender Adrian Mariappa goes down under as he finds new club

Adrian Mariappa has finally found a new club as he has penned terms with Australian side Macarthur FC.

The 35-year-old last turned out for Bristol City but was released earlier this year after the addition of Rob Atkinson from Oxford United.

He was signed in November 2020 by then manager Dean Holden and was later kept on by Nigel Pearson, making 27 appearances in total.

The emergence of Nathan Baker and Tomas Kalas, first-team opportunities would have been hard to come by.

Mariappa had been subject of interest from Sheffield Wednesday, but he rejected their offer and instead chose to pursue a career in the A League.

“I want to thank the owners and the football staff for having faith in me and making this happen,” said the central defender to the official club website.

“When the opportunity to join the Bulls arrived, it was one I couldn’t turn down. It’s an exciting new challenge for me in my career and that for me is what I thrive off.

“I’m hungry to achieve great things with the club and create new memories with the team and the fans.”

In addition to Mariappa’s comments, head coach Ante Milicic said: “I’m thrilled that the club has been able to secure a player of Adrian’s quality and experience.

“Although he has never played A-League before, I’m most certain he will make a seamless adjustment given the career he has had so far.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing Adrian settle into the squad and contribute to the team throughout the 2021/22 Isuzu UTE A-League Season.”

He brings a wealth of top-flight experience to the Bulls, having played for the likes of Watford, Reading and Crystal Palace in the Premier League, accumulating over 150 appearances.

The Hounslow-born defender also has over 50 caps for Jamaica, having qualified through his maternal grandparents, captaining them on several occasions whilst agonisingly missing out on the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Mariappa won’t be the only player born in England in the Macarthur squad. Former Cardiff City duo Craig Noone and Jordon Mutch are also on their books.

A whole host of English players have wound down their careers in the Southern Hemisphere over the years, with the likes of Emile Heskey, Robbie Fowler and Steve McMahon all seeing out their twilight years there.

That trend has continued to the modern day and as a result, Mariappa could come up against the likes of Adam Le Fondre, Daniel Sturridge and Jack Rodwell this season.

He is also the seventh player from Bristol City to join an A-League club, with Paul Agostino, Michael Bridges, Nicky Carle, Adam Federici, Neil Kikenny and Luke Wilkshire all previously plying their trade there.