SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 14: Youssouf Hersi of the Wanderers attemps to beat Hiroki Mizumoto of Sanfrecce Hiroshima during the AFC Asian Champions League match between the Western Sydney Wanderers and Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Pirtek Stadium on May 14, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 14: Youssouf Hersi of the Wanderers attemps to beat Hiroki Mizumoto of Sanfrecce Hiroshima during the AFC Asian Champions League match between the Western Sydney Wanderers and Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Pirtek Stadium on May 14, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

Central Coast Mariners will not be able to sign Youssouf Hersi during the A-League transfer window due to an 11th-hour mix-up with the 33 year-old's visa.

Hersi, who had already passed a rigorous medical test, was on the verge of signing with the Mariners until at least the end of this A-League season, with a view to being available for Saturday's away clash with Brisbane Roar.

But with only hours remaining before the close of the January transfer window on Tuesday night, Mariners' club officials found out that Hersi had travelled to Australia from the Netherlands on a tourist visa instead of a work visa.

Read more at TheWorldGame.sbs.com.au