With a little less red tape, Tom Rogic would be training with Reading FC right now and preparing for the upcoming English Premier League season.

Instead, the young gun is in pre-season training for the Central Coast Mariners and getting ready for his first full A-League season.

It’s something that A-League fans should be thankful for, particularly the Mariners faithful, as they will get to see the exciting 19-year-old attacker on our shores for a little longer.

Rogic beat 75,000 others to secure a contract with the Nike Football Academy in the UK in January last year, after being named as one of the eight best young football players in the world. Among the judges in the Nike Academy were the likes of Arsene Wenger and Guus Hiddink.

He was offered a contract with Reading, then in the Championship but since promoted to the EPL, but work permit issues prevented him from joining the club and he returned down under.

The Canberra product signed with the Mariners in January this year and in a short period became the talk of the competition with his silky skills and some spectacular goals.

Rogic picked up an Olyroo cap, became a target for other A-League clubs and was named A-League young player of the month for February. He has also been touted by many respected judges as a future Socceroo. Ignoring the interest from other clubs, the playmaker with the futsal background re-signed with the Mariners for another year.

Rogic will be staying in Australia for at least another season, but surely a move overseas at some stage in the future is on the cards. For now, building up his fitness and getting more games under his belt is the goal for the midfielder.

I chatted with Rogic recently about the Mariners preparation for season eight of the A-League and his burgeoning football career.