After an eye-catching breakout campaign, Sunderland loanee Nectarios Triantis is attracting growing interest, and his agent has provided a significant update on what’s next for the promising midfielder. Triantis has enjoyed a standout season away from the Stadium of Light, becoming a key figure at Hibernian and reinforcing his reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in the Scottish Premiership.
While Sunderland have been pushing for Premier League promotion under new boss Régis Le Bris, much of the attention has rightly been on the club’s central midfield depth. Dan Neil, the academy graduate and club captain, is now on the radar of Roma and Everton. Teenage stars Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg have also impressed, drawing serious interest from elite European clubs and several Premier League teams.
Triantis, meanwhile, has been flourishing north of the border after a challenging previous loan spell. Having joined Sunderland from Central Coast Mariners in 2023, his first stint with Hibs was less than ideal. However, this season has been a complete turnaround. He has made 29 starts for David Gray’s side, delivering eight goal contributions and helping them maintain a top-three position behind Rangers and Celtic.
| Key statistic | Nectarios Triantis |
| Games played | 29 (all starts) |
| Goals + assists | 3 goals, 5 assists |
| Chances created | 26 |
| Yellow + red cards | 7 yellows, 1 red |
| Duels won | 185 |
At just 21, Triantis has not only solidified his role at Hibs but has also been recognized as one of the standout young midfielders in the Scottish top flight. His recent performance in Hibs’ 4-0 thrashing of Dundee was a testament to his development and consistency. Represented by former footballer Jem Karacan, Triantis has made it clear through his agent that he’s not interested in returning to Sunderland just to sit on the bench. Instead, his focus is on consistent game time as he sets his sights on representing Australia at the next World Cup.
Karacan emphasized that Triantis remains grounded despite the rising attention. Speaking on the Row Z FC podcast, he said: “Nectar has had a fantastic season. He’s worked incredibly hard and changed opinions. Now, people are starting to really take notice.” Karacan went on to explain that with the World Cup on the horizon, it’s crucial for Triantis to play regular football next season — whether that’s back at Sunderland or elsewhere. Being a “bit-part player” is not an option.
Originally recruited as a centre-back, Triantis has blossomed into a well-rounded midfielder, drawing comparisons to top-tier players and even being dubbed the “Aussie Rodri.” His ability to impact both sides of the game could make him an essential asset for Le Bris, should Sunderland choose to keep him around.
What’s more, his emergence could save the club millions. With speculation surrounding the futures of Neil, Bellingham, and Rigg — all of whom could command eight-figure transfer fees — Triantis might just be the in-house solution. The fact that Sunderland only paid £300,000 for him less than two years ago makes his rise all the more impressive.
| Key statistic | Jobe Bellingham | Chris Rigg | Dan Neil | Nectarios Triantis |
| Games played | 37 (36 starts) | 39 (34 starts) | 42 (42 starts) | 29 (29 starts) |
| Goals | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Assists | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
Hibs boss David Gray has also praised Triantis’ progress, noting how the player learned from an early red card setback to become more dominant and composed in the middle of the park. Gray described Triantis as having the makings of an excellent number six and said he’d be glad to see him return to the Scottish side.
As Sunderland prepare for their playoff campaign, Triantis’ future may depend on whether the club achieves promotion. If they do, he’ll hope to stake a claim in the Premier League. If not, the club could face significant offers for its top midfield talent — making Triantis’ retention and development all the more vital.
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