The Central Coast Mariners first major international signing, Andrea Merenda, is feeling happy and comfortable in new surroundings. After signing with the Mariners on Tuesday, Merenda said that he was settling in well. "I'm very happy, I feel very good within this group. All the players are nice to me (as well as) the coach, all the staff and the whole club as well. It's good for me to stay here and I hope to make something good of it," he said. Merenda was curious about what it would be like to experience football in Australia hence the decision to come down under and encounter a different environment. "I said to my agent in Italy that I would like to have an experience in Australia if it was possible and after a few months they said it was ok to try. I've started here (at Central Coast) and I hope to keep on here, no change, I would like to stay here," he added. Over the years, the 31-year old has been versatile in playing positions but isn't too worried where on the pitch he plays and was also impressed by the laidback but hard-working nature of the Mariners. "I play in the midfield but sometimes I play as centre back but it depends. Now I have to start to work hard and then the (coaching) staff decides, they say where I play. "The Mariners are a good team. The players have a good mentality because they work hard during the week. In Italy the players feel too much pressure but here the staff are good because they try to always smile but make sure the team is working and they take that into the matches."