SUNDERLAND have kicked off their summer transfer business by confirming the signing of Australian defender Nectarios Triantis.

Triantis will join the Black Cats on a permanent basis from Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners, provided his international clearance goes through without any hitches.

The 20-year-old centre-half made 26 senior appearances as Central Coast Mariners won the A-League last season, starring in last weekend’s 6-1 win over Melbourne City which secured their latest piece of silverware.

Triantis, who was included in the Australian PFA’s A-League Team of the Season, is set to join up with his new team-mates at Sunderland for the start of pre-season training next month.

He is currently in France after linking up with the Australia Under-23 squad ahead of the prestigious Maurice Revello Tournament, which is staged in Toulon.

“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 team-mates later this month,” said Triantis, who was born to Australia to Greek parents.

“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.”

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Sunderland’s recruitment team have been pursuing a number of targets since the end of last season, and are close to confirming deals for two more youngsters, Jobe Bellingham and Luis Semedo.

Bellingham is set to join the Black Cats from Birmingham City, with the framework for a deal worth around £3m already in place. While there have been suggestions in recent days that the two clubs are still some way apart in their valuation of the 17-year-old, who is the younger brother of England international Jude, it is understood that a deal is effectively agreed.

Bellingham attended the Stadium of Light last month to watch the second leg of Sunderland’s play-off semi-final with Luton Town, but is currently in Portugal with the England Under-18s squad preparing for the International Tournament of Lisbon that begins tomorrow.

Bellingham, who skippered England Under-18s in their most recent outing in March, is set to feature in matches against Norway, Australia and Portugal, and should be confirmed as a Sunderland player once his international duties are at an end.

Talks with Semedo have been similarly positive, with the 19-year-old striker close to sealing a move to the Stadium of Light.

Provided he is able to secure the necessary documentation needed to play in England, Semedo will join the Black Cats as a free agent following his release from Benfica, where he spent last season playing for the Portuguese club’s B team.