Central Coast Mariners release young goalkeeper Tom Heward-Belle

The Central Coast Mariners have released teenage goalkeeper Tom Heward-Belle from his A-League contract effective immediately.

The club said the 19-year-old, who was third choice behind Paul Izzo and Ivan Necevski, requested a release to spend more time in Sydney focusing on university.

Heward-Belle made three appearances for the Mariners, including an impromptu A-League debut on Boxing Day last year when he was thrown into the mix following Izzo's red card in the 4-1 loss to Sydney FC.