Jump to content

Mark Birighitti

From Alfawiki
Mark Birighitti
Born
Mark Romano Birighitti

(1991-04-17) April 17, 1991 (age 35)
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
OccupationProfessional soccer player
Years active2008–present
Known forGoalkeeper for Perth Glory in A-League Men; appearances for Australian national team

Mark Romano Birighitti (born 17 April 1991) is a professional Australian soccer player who occupies the position of goalkeeper for the A-League Men team Perth Glory.

Hailing from Perth, Birighitti progressed through the ranks at the Australian Institute of Sport before making his professional debut with Adelaide United. In 2012, he moved to Newcastle Jets, which included a loan spell in 2015 at Italian club Varese. His European journey began in 2016 with periods at Swansea City and Dutch outfit NAC Breda. Returning to Australia's A-League in 2018, he signed for Melbourne City and subsequently joined Central Coast Mariners in 2019. In 2022, Birighitti transferred to Scottish Premiership side Dundee United.

On the international stage, Birighitti has one senior appearance for the Australian national team, earned during the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup. His youth international career includes participation in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup and being part of the victorious squad at the 2010 AFF U-19 Youth Championship.

Adelaide United

Birighitti’s early development occurred at the AIS before he joined Adelaide United in 2008. He made his professional debut on 17 October 2008 against Queensland Roar, helping secure a 1–0 victory. Manager Aurelio Vidmar commended his display, emphasizing his promise and capability to handle significant responsibilities.

His subsequent starting appearance in the A-League came versus Perth Glory at Hindmarsh Stadium, where he stepped in after first-choice goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic was sidelined due to injury sustained during an Asian Champions League fixture against FC Bunyodkor. Although conceding an early goal, Birighitti contributed to a 2–1 win that elevated Adelaide to the summit of the league standings.

With Galekovic still unavailable, Birighitti was selected for the second leg of the 2008 AFC Champions League Final against Gamba Osaka on 12 November 2008; however, Adelaide suffered a 2–0 defeat. An ankle injury incurred during training on 17 December 2008 forced him to miss the remainder of the A-League 2008-09 campaign.

Newcastle Jets

On 17 January 2012, Birighitti secured a two-year deal with A-League side Newcastle Jets, commencing after their participation in the 2012 AFC Champions League group phase. He quickly established himself as the Jets' primary goalkeeper, overtaking competitors Ben Kennedy and Jack Duncan. By late 2013, he had extended his contract through to the conclusion of the 2015–16 season.

In March 2014, Birighitti traveled to Germany to discuss a potential transfer with Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. After negotiations did not result in a contract, he returned to fulfill his commitments with Newcastle for the following season.

During October 2015, Birighitti endured multiple dental fractures and required facial surgery following a collision on-field with Sydney FC forward Shane Smeltz. Despite this serious injury, he made a swift recovery, missing only one league match before returning to action.

Loan to Varese

On 27 January 2015, Birighitti secured a six-month loan move to the Serie B club Varese. He made his first appearance on 25 April 2015 in a 1–0 defeat away to Vicenza.

Swansea City

Birighitti agreed to a two-year contract with Premier League outfit Swansea City on 18 July 2016. Following limited game time during the 2016–17 season, he pursued a trial opportunity with Dutch side Willem II.

NAC Breda

On 1 September 2017, Birighitti signed a two-year deal with Eredivisie club NAC Breda. He featured for the full duration in NAC Breda's historic first away victory in the Eredivisie against Feyenoord, during which he saved a penalty. His departure from the club occurred in summer 2018.

Melbourne City

Birighitti joined Australian A-League team Melbourne City on a three-year contract starting 11 September 2018. Mainly acting as backup goalkeeper to Eugene Galekovic, he mutually agreed to terminate his contract in July 2019.

Central Coast Mariners

In August 2019, Birighitti signed a one-year agreement with Central Coast Mariners.

Dundee United

Birighitti committed to a two-year contract with Dundee United on 21 July 2022, subject to international clearance. He made his competitive debut in the opening match of the Scottish Premiership season against Kilmarnock, which finished in a 1–1 draw. His European debut came in a 1–0 win over AZ Alkmaar, although Dundee United were eliminated after suffering a heavy 7–0 defeat in the return leg.

In January 2024, he was loaned to Kilmarnock on an emergency basis for seven days. Birighitti was released by Dundee United at the conclusion of the 2023–24 campaign upon expiry of his contract.

International career

Birighitti represented the Australian under-20 national team at the 2010 AFC U-19 Championship.

He earned his senior international cap for the Australian national team in the final game of the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup, a narrow 4–3 defeat against China.

Career statistics

Club Season League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
AIS 2008 Victorian Premier League 18 0 0 0 0 0 18 0
Adelaide United 2008–09 A-League 3 0 0 0 1 0 4 0
2009–10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2010–11 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
2011–12 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Total 8 0 0 0 1 0 9 0
Newcastle Jets 2012–13 A-League 22 0 0 0 0 0 22 0
2013–14 23 0 0 0 0 0 23 0
2014–15 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
2015–16 26 0 1 0 0 0 27 0
Total 77 0 1 0 0 0 78 0
Varese (loan) 2014–15 Serie B 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Swansea City 2016–17 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
NAC Breda 2017–18 Eredivisie 15 ۰ ۱ ۰ (none) (none)
2018–19 Eredivisie | 1 ۰ ۰ ۰ ۰ ۰ ۱ ۰
Total 16 ۰ ۱ ۰ ۰ ۰ ۱۷ ۰
Melbourne City FC | 2018-19 Melbourne City FC season | A-League | ۰ ۰ ۰ ۰ ۰ ۰ ۰ ۰
Central Coast Mariners FC | 2019-20 Central Coast Mariners FC season | A-League | ۲۶ ۰ ۳ ۰ ۰ ۰ ۲۹ ۰
202۰-21 Central Coast Mariners FC season | A-League |۲۷ ۰ ۰ ۰ ۰ ۰ ۲۷ ۰
202۱-22 Central Coast Mariners FC season | A-League |۲۶ ۰ ۵ ۰ ۰ ۰ ۳۱ ۰
Total ۷۹ ٠ ۸ ٠ ٠ ٠ ۸۷ ٠
Dundee United F.C. | 202۲-۲۳ Dundee United F.C. season | rowspan=2 | Scottish Premiership |۲۶ ٠ ٢ ٠ ٢* ٠ ۳۰ ٠
Kilmarnock F.C. (loan) | 202۳-۲۴ Kilmarnock F.C. season |٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠
Career total !۲۲۸ !٠ !۱۲ !٠ !۳ !٠ !۲۴۳ !٠


Honours

Australia U20

Individual Achievements

External links

Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Mark_Birighitti&oldid=64289"