As a further demonstration of Central Coast Mariners’ commitment and excellence in developing young football talent, the Club can announce that Olyroos defender Nectarios Triantis has signed with English club Sunderland AFC for an undisclosed fee.
Joining the Mariners in July 2022 from Western Sydney Wanderers, the defender had played just 7 minutes of A-League football before arriving on the Central Coast.
After being given his first professional start in our Australia Cup game against Sydney FC, Triantis flourished under the guidance of Mariners head coach Nick Montgomery, assistant Sergio Raimundo and the entire coaching staff, becoming one of the best defenders in the competition this season.
He made 26 appearances this campaign in the Mariners championship winning team, starting all but four of those matches.
His performances across the season saw him selected on the bench in the PFA Team of the Season, a remarkable achievement in his first full season of A-League football.
Triantis has also played a key part in Australia’s junior footballing set-up over the last 12 months, playing in the U20 AFC Asian Cup with the Young Socceroos.
He was also recently selected for the Olyroos squad to participate in the Maurice Revello Tournament in Toulon, where he has since travelled to after winning the Championship.
While disappointed to lose the young defender, Nick Montgomery is proud of Triantis’ development and is excited to watch his career continue to develop.
“Whilst we are obviously sad to be losing Nectar, we are so happy for him to be given this opportunity to join such a fantastic club like Sunderland. We would never hold him back from a move like this as he deserves it,” Montgomery said.
“Their fans are amazing and it’s a massive club. I have no doubt with time he will become a fan favourite for them. He is a wonderful young man who has developed rapidly in 12 months and played a vital role in helping us win the championship this season.”
“When we lost Kye Rowles last season we needed someone to fill big shoes and Nectar certainly did that. It’s now time for him to make us all proud and I have no doubt he can be representing the Socceroos at the next World Cup.”
