Daniel De Silva has finally secured his exit from the Central Coast Mariners by joining A-League rivals Sydney FC on loan for the upcoming season.
De Silva becomes the first player to use the competition’s new mechanism that allows players under the age of 23 to be loaned between A-League clubs.
The attacking midfielder – who has three years to run on his Mariners contract – was determined to leave Gosford and now has been granted his wish, after several weeks of protracted negotiations.
Professional Footballers Australia had been engaged to help facilitate De Silva’s departure with his circumstances complicated by the fact he is also tied to Italian club Roma.
The Mariners were adamant they would not release him for free to a rival club while transfer fees between A-League clubs are prohibited – but the new loan rules, which were rubber-stamped on Tuesday, have enabled a compromise.
There is a catch for the Sky Blues with the 21-year-old unable to play against Central Coast for the duration of the loan deal.
“This is a massive move for me and I’m eager to learn and improve with the excellent squad at Sydney FC, and also looking forward to joining the renown winning culture at the club,” De Silva said.
He burst onto the scene as a 15-year old making his A-League debut for Perth Glory and transferred to Roma two years later.
However, he has never played for the Serie A outfit and was immediately sent out on loan to Dutch side Roda JC.
“Danny is a great signing for us as there were a number of other A-League clubs who wanted him,” Sydney FC coach Steve Corica said.
“He is a quality young player who will benefit and learn from the talent we have at the club already and I think we will see the best of him this season.”
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
If Graham Arnold was still at Sydney this might be considered a good move, instead he'll be working under someone in a vital stage in his career whos never been a 1st team coach before....i do wonder who is guiding these young guys sometimes.
Waz
Roar Rookie
There’s several things necessary before any team can find their “natural level” ... removal of both the salary cap and the salary floor, yes pro/rel, transfer fees between A League clubs, and crucially at least 90% of revenues generated going to clubs. Then we might see where “natural levels” are.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Well it is, the clubs and FFA agreed this rule change before Christmas and everyone knew it would be introduced ahead of the new season.
MQ
Guest
With the salary cap about to be scrapped, expect a very clear cut pecking order, and it's unlikely there will be room for teams outside of the big cities in that pecking order. But that's life.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
you miss the point Punter , You want an A league Australia embraces or just have sfc pilfer ccm every year and see the massive disconnect that is causing. People outside of the capital city are increasing ly resentful of how the big smoke treats us , the A league is not going to save country nsw or farm but it’s having Sydney pilfer smaller teams players constantly does create more dissatisfaction, outside the capital put yourself in ccm position. Do you care about the whole of the competition or just sky blue ? Because it’s pretty obvious people are not connecting in great numbers with the A league. In a city of 5 million people , s f c production of their own players has been very ordinary
Fadida
Guest
Agree on the Patafta similarity. I thought DDS was very average last season. When he had the ball he looks like he had a bit of quality. Unfortunately he frequently is pushed off the ball and goes out of the game for huge periods. The game affects him, not he the game. He looks like a kid playing against men. Definitely at the crossroads.
MQ
Guest
Scrapping the salary cap would be a huge step forward for the league and bring it into line with 99% of the world's football leagues, although, it makes more sense that it is implemented along with P&R, so that clubs like the Mariners can find their natural level in the Australian Football landscape.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Pundits were calling Kaz a 'starlet.'
Nick Symonds
Guest
NEWS - A-League salary cap may be abolished with new collective bargaining agreement http://www.espnfc.com.au/australian-a-league/story/3573432/a-league-salary-cap-may-be-abolished-with-new-collective-bargaining-agreement?src=com
RF
Guest
A career going nowhere fast. Either Daniel steps up now, or that's pretty much it for him. The Kaz Patafta syndrome. Ha! Posted this before I read Nem's comment above!
punter
Guest
Yes the A-League wants SFC to win the premiership by more then 14 pts this year.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Exactly They have lots of form of tapping contacted players If the A league continues to become just about Sydney and Melbourne teams it will be never get the massive fan base from the rest of Australia onside Be careful Sydney FC because you’re richer then the rest ....I’d you want to dominate the A league. It is never going to produce big crowds and the decline will continue. Apologies Sydney FC fans , but most of Australia is going to turn off their tv if you buy every trophy . You have a massive area to produce your own players.
Nemesis
Guest
Technically gifted player, but, based on what I've seen from him so far, he has never shown the right mental application of players with much lower ability. His professional career report, thus far would read: High technical ability Drifts in and out of matches High maintenance Unless he wants a professional career badly, this could be another Kaz Patafta.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Trent Buhagiar a better signing?
Fadida
Guest
Agree. His potentially great career is already on very shaky ground. Funny how SFC are often behind unsettled players from other clubs. Tapping up players??
MQ
Guest
It must be coincidence that SFC was the first beneficiary of the new loan move change.
Melange
Guest
Da Silva's starting to show very ordinary personality traits. I don't want to see sulking players, and if that's his character then good to see the back of him, I hope there's significant compensation from Sydney. I'm hoping Grella didn't advise him down this route.