CENTRAL Coast Mariners boss Nick Montgomery says he couldn't stand in the way of Nectarios Triantis when the opportunity to join "massive club" Sunderland presented itself.

Englishman Montgomery didn't want to lose the young centre-half this summer after his superb breakthrough season in the A-League, but he says the Mariners didn't want to hold the 20-year-old back.

And he has tipped Triantis to become a favourite with the fans on Wearside after his move to the Black Cats was confirmed.

Triantis will link up with Sunderland after featuring for Australia's Under-23s in the Maurice Revello Tournament in Toulon.

The youngster had played just seven minutes of A-League football before joining Mariners last season, but went on to play 26 times in Montgomery's championship winning team, filling the void left by Kye Rowles, who joined Hearts last summer.

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Montgomery said: “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.

“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.”