<\/p>\n
Australian teen prodigy Anthony Pavle\u0161i\u0107 has made a blockbuster transfer from the Central Coast Mariners to German heavyweights Bayern Munich.<\/p>\n
17-year-old Pavlesic has never played a senior game for the Mariners, but is an extremely talented goalkeeper viewed as a future Socceroos gloveman.<\/p>\n
He trialled with Bayern for two weeks in February, and also had interest from fellow Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen and Dutch giants Ajax.<\/p>\n
Now he has inked a three-year contract with Bayern, one of the biggest clubs in world football who recently claimed an 11th-straight league title.<\/p>\n
The transfer also earned the Mariners an undisclosed transfer fee, following in the footsteps of Garang Kuol\u2019s huge move to Premier League club Newcastle last year.<\/p>\n
Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now ><\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Pavlesic is currently captaining Australia\u2019s under-17 national team at the Asian Cup in Thailand, and will link up with the European giants after the tournament.<\/p>\n Bayern\u2019s statement said the teen talent, who stands 1.90m tall, will play with the youth team next season as he continues his rapid development.<\/p>\n Central Coast Mariners coach Nick Montgomery said in a statement: \u201cAnthony has massive potential and a huge work ethic for a goalkeeper who is so young. We would never hold him or any player back from an opportunity to sign with one of the biggest clubs in world football.<\/p>\n \u201cBayern are a global outfit of the highest calibre, and like Garang (Kuol) joining Newcastle United this is another example of who we are as a club, providing a platform for young Australian players to go and develop at top clubs and leagues around the world.<\/p>\n \u201cThis can only be a positive for both the future of Australian football and for the Mariners brand of being the best development club in the country.\u201d <\/p>\n MORE NEWS<\/b><\/p>\n Ange\u2019s first signing in $48m \u2018bargain\u2019 \u2026 and stumbling block for other key Spurs targets<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n <\/b>Star\u2019s sad exit after goalless flop; Relegated beast finds new home<\/a>: PL Done Deals<\/b><\/p>\n Messi’s men sink Socceroos again | 02:35<\/p>\n Bayern Munich\u2019s goalkeeping co-ordinator Tom Starke said in a statement: \u201cAnthony completed a two-week trial with us in February and left a lasting impression. We then continued to follow him very closely and decided that the overall package was the right one. He is a very positive guy who is very mature for his age and has all the physical requirements.\u201d <\/p>\n Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold is also in attendance at the U-17 Asian Cup, keeping a close eye on the future of Australia\u2019s national team.<\/p>\n Pavlesic became captain of the Joeys last October. U-17s coach Brad Maloney at the time likened him to current Socceroos captain and gloveman Mat Ryan, also a Mariners product.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is deserved acknowledgment for Anthony, who reminds me a lot of Mat Ryan in the way he goes about his business,\u201d Maloney said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe leads by example both on and off the ground, and during our pre-tournament camp in Melbourne set the standard for others to follow in terms of attitude and aptitude.\u201d<\/p>\n Pavlesic also has a brother, Adam, currently a goalkeeper in the A-League with Sydney FC.<\/p>\n MORE NEWS<\/b><\/p>\n Simon shock inclusion as Matildas name provisional 29-player squad for World Cup<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n