Signed earlier this season from Adelaide United, Ferreira has added an exciting new edge to the Mariners forward line.

He's quickly become a fan fave in Gosford. And at 25, he’s coming into the best years of his career as he looks to make good on his potential - something the great Jose Mourinho saw a decade ago.

“Living in Australia for three years, I’ve seen a very good improvement in the football here.

“So far it’s been a very competitive league. And in Europe they don’t really realize how competitive of a league it is here in Australia and I think it’s getting bigger,” Ferreira told www.a-league.com.au.

“I’ve enjoyed playing here and [becoming a naturalized Australian and playing for the Socceroos] is something that is possible and I would never say no.”

Ferreira, from the Setubal region of Portugal,  learnt his trade at Portuguese powerhouse Sporting Lisbon. 

But he soon caught the eye of Mourinho at Chelsea as a 16-year-old in 2004.

He played for the Premier League giant’s reserves and made his national youth team debut for Portugal U-19s during his stint in west London between 2005 and 2009.