Sunderland announced this morning that the club has reached an agreement to sign Nectarios Triantis from Australian side Central Coast Mariners.

Triantis, 20, has been heavily linked with a move to Sunderland this week. The Australian youth international centre-back has just capped an impressive season in his native top flight, winning the league title and earning a place in the A-League Team of the Season.

The Black Cats announced this morning that the defender is set to sign for the club this summer, with the move subject to international clearance.

Triantis is currently away on international duty with the Socceroos’ U23 side for the Maurice Revello Tournament which is being held in Toulon. Following the conclusion of that, he’ll head to Wearside.

Speaking to the club ahead of the move, Triantis had this to say:

“The opportunity to join such a prestigious Club is an honour and I’m really looking forward to heading to England and meeting my new teammates later this month. I’m ready for the challenge ahead and can’t wait to get started.

“I would like to thank Nick Montgomery and the Central Coast Mariners for giving me the platform that led to this exciting next chapter in my life.”

This is a signing that really fits in with Sunderland’s newfound approach to transfers, with it being somewhat similar to the club’s signing of Jewison Bennette last summer.

Triantis is a relative unknown on British shores but he’s clearly a player with potential and someone that Tony mMwbray and co will hope to see blossom into an important first-team player in years to come.

Expect to see more of the same from the Black Cats this summer, with the summer transfer window officially set to open for business on June 14th.