Friday 15 January 2016 14:39, UK
Manchester City have signed midfielder Anthony Caceres from Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners.
The 23-year-old signed his first professional deal with the club in 2012 and has since made 62 league appearances as well as playing in three editions of the AFC Champions League.
Caceres started his career in youth football with the Marconi Stallions, where he was spotted by Mariners coach Tony Walmsley, who is looking forward to seeing Caceres play in England.
"We need to celebrate when players at the Central Coast Mariners are sold to bigger clubs. It's our charter. It's our intent," Walmsley told the Mariners' website.
"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 is the second A-League player to join City this season, following on from Luke Brattan who joined in October from the Brisbane Roar and was then loaned out to Sky Bet Championship side Bolton.
A similar loan move is possible for Caceres, according to City boss Manuel Pellegrini, although Melbourne City coach John van't Schip said he was not certain whether he would end up playing for his side, which was bought by Manchester City in 2014.
"We can't comment on [a potential loan move] but of course everybody knows he's a good player, he's one of the better players in the A-League. So we'll just have to see," van't Schip said.
Pellegrini said: "He's not part of the squad at this moment. The club are always thinking about the future."
