Fresh from sealing the Isuzu UTE A-League Championship with Central Coast Mariners, Olyroos defender Nectar Triantis has signed for English club Sunderland AFC.
It’s been a dream week for Triantis, who played a key role in the Mariners’ 6-1 win over Melbourne City in the A-League Men Grand Final on June 3, before jetting off to join the Olyroos at the Maurice Revello Tournament in Toulon and, on Thursday evening (AEST), signing for Sunderland.
Triantis joins Sunderland from the Mariners for an undisclosed fee. The transfer is subject to international clearance.
Triantis joined the Mariners ahead of the 2022-23 A-League Men campaign from Western Sydney Wanderers; he had played just seven minutes in the Australian top flight before his arrival in Gosford, but Mariners head coach Nick Montgomery turned him into an integral first team member, handing him 21 starts and 25 appearances as he formed a formidable partnership with Brian Kaltak in the heart of the Mariners’ defence.
Upon signing for Sunderland, Triantis thanked the Mariners and head coach Nick Montgomery for entrusting in him throughout the club’s championship campaign.
“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,” Triantis said.
“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.”
Mariners boss Montgomery admitted it was sad to see the talented central defender depart after just one season – but expressed his delight in helping one of his brightest young players seal a move to “a fantastic club” in the English second tier.
“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.”
Featured image credit: Rachel Bach @bythewhiteline
