The Central Coast Mariners' conveyor belt of Europe-bound talent has shown no signs of slowing down, with winger Sammy Silvera sealing a record transfer to English Championship outfit Middlesbrough.
AAP understands the 22-year-old's move has surpassed the club's selling record, set in 2012 when Rostyn Griffiths moved to Guangzhou in China for $1.2 million.
Silvera follows Kye Rowles (Hearts), Garang Kuol (Newcastle United) and Nectar Triantis (Sunderland) in leaving Gosford for the UK over the past 12 months.
Middlesbrough, who are coached by former Manchester United and England star Michael Carrick, already have Socceroos midfielder Riley McGree on their books.
With Mark Schwarzer and Mark Viduka among their previous Australian recruits, Boro could prove a shrewd move for Silvera as he seeks to win his first senior cap.
The Australia under-23 international joins a side which narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League last season, with Carrick winning plaudits for Middlesbrough's relentless attacking style.
Silvera contributed six assists and five goals for the Mariners last season, including one in their 6-1 grand-final thrashing of Melbourne City, as Central Coast won the A-League Men championship.
"It's a remarkable turnaround for a player that 12 months ago was on the bench at the Newcastle Jets," Mariners boss Nick Montgomery said.
"He's now won a championship and it's a testament to Sammy and what we do at the club.
"It's yet another example of turning around the career of a young man with huge potential by bringing him to the Mariners.
"We look forward to watching him progress in one of the biggest leagues in the world at a club fighting for promotion to the Premier League."
