Manchester City have agreed a deal to sign Central Coast Mariners playmaker Anthony Caceres, the A-League side have confirmed.
Caceres, 23, has featured regularly for the A-League side this season and, despite the Mariners sitting last on the table, has shown enough form to catch the eye of the title-chasers at the Etihad Stadium.
Mariners manager Tony Walmsley confirmed that City had approached them earlier in January regarding a potential move for Caceres, and the Australian club announced a deal had been reached on Friday morning.
BREAKING | #CCMFC farewell Anthony Caceres who is set to join @premierleague outfit @MCFC! https://t.co/MazGz2GYgU pic.twitter.com/jwB9cOJ01F
- #CCMFC (@CCMariners) January 15, 2016
A statement on the Mariners' official website read: "The Central Coast Mariners can today confirm that the club has agreed to terms with English Premier League Club Manchester City for the transfer of 23-year-old midfielder Anthony Caceres that will take immediate effect.
"A product of the Mariners Foxtel National Youth league set up, Caceres joins a long list of players to springboard from the Yellow & Navy to the global stage.
"Caceres inked his first professional contract with the Mariners in 2012 and experienced a breakout season during 2014-15 that saw the crafty midfielder win the 2015 Mariners Medal.
"The Championship-winning No. 10 made 62 A-League appearances for the Mariners along with three AFC Champions League Campaigns to his name.
"Caceres was plucked from Marconi Stallions by current head coach Tony Walmsley who is looking forward to seeing the 23-year-old reach his potential on the world football stage."
Walmsley said: "We need to celebrate when players at the Central Coast Mariners are sold to bigger clubs. It's our charter. It's our intent. When I brought Anthony Caceres to the Mariners his potential was obvious.
"This move demonstrates how far Anthony has progressed and symbolises how giving youth a chance works for both the Central Coast Mariners and young aspirational footballers."
Caceres, who is yet to be capped by Australia at senior level, is set to become the second A-League player Man City have bought this season after former Brisbane Roar midfielder Luke Brattan, who headed to the Etihad in October.
The 25-year-old was immediately loaned to Championship club Bolton Wanderers, where he is yet to make an appearance this season.
Man City are owned by the City Football Group, which also owns New York City FC, Melbourne City FC and holds a share in J-League side Yokohama F. Marinos.