A-League club Central Coast Mariners have been buoyed by the signing of Dutch defender Patrick Zwaanswijk.

The 35-year old has joined from Dutch Eredivisie club NAC Breda on a one-year contract and is already learning plenty about his new home-to-be.

"I know all the sites mate!" laughed Zwaanswijk from his home in the Netherlands.

"I know a lot about Terrigal, North Avoca, Avoca Beach, Wamberal, Gosford. I'm very well informed by Google, I know even which way to drive to Bluetongue Stadium as well.

"We are looking for a nice house, we want to get in as soon as possible, that way we can get to know the Australian people better and not stay in a hotel, it's always difficult to do that."

Zwaanswijk began his career with FC Utrecht back in 1998 before moving to Japan to join Oita Trinita in 2004. He then moved back to his homeland to join NAC where has spent the past five seasons.