Central Coast Mariners have snapped up 15-year old local Dane Russell by adding him to their youth team.

Russell is the current goalkeeper for the Lithgow-based Western Panthers and has also been named in the Western Soccer side to tour the United Kingdom next year.

Starting next season he will be a member of the Mariners squad.

"I thought last year was great when I was lucky enough be selected to tour China with the Western team, but this year just keeps on getting better and better," Russell told the Lithgow Mercury.

"I got the news that I was named in the Western side to tour the United Kingdom in January.

"We will be visiting the world's best soccer stadiums and going along to some games.

"Now that the Mariners have invited me to play in their Academy squad it is great - and the soccer season hasn't even started yet."