Manchester City sign former Mariners star Caceres

Manchester City have made their first January signing with the capture of midfielder Anthony Caceres from Central Coast Mariners for an undisclosed fee.

The former Mariners man has signed for Premier League side Manchester City Source: Getty Images

The Australian club announced on Friday morning that a fee had been agreed with City for the 23-year-old and a club spokesman has confirmed the completion of the deal.

Caceres is not seen as a player who could challenge for a first-team spot any time soon and he could well be loaned out.

Mariners head coach Tony Walmsley signed Caceres in 2011, and he told the club website: "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."

An obvious destination for Caceres would be City's A-League sister club Melbourne City.

The league does not allow clubs to buy players from each other but a loan from Manchester City would be allowed.

Melbourne boss John van't Schip was coy on any loan move, with the Dutchman quoted in the Australian press saying: "Manchester City is getting him in. More or less, that's it.

"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."