Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman says Nectar Triantis has the club's full support following a loan move to Hibernian to continue his development.

The Australian centre-half has joined the Scottish Premiership side on loan until the end of the season, having made three senior appearances for the Black Cats.

Triantis has been on the fringes of Sunderland's squad since his summer move from Central Coast Mariners, and reunites with former Coasties boss Nick Montgomery at Easter Road.

The Hibees are understood to have held a long-term interest in Triantis, with the Black Cats originally rejecting their advances.

However, the recent arrival of Leo Hjelde from Leeds United has added competition for places at the Stadium of Light, allowing the Australian defender to leave the club to further his development.

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Speakman said: “Nectar’s move to Sunderland last summer was a big step for him – professionally and personally – and we are really pleased with his progress.

"We were happy for him to remain at the Club for the rest of the season, but felt this was a unique opportunity in a strong league at a Club where he has existing relationships, which will only help him.

"He has a strong ambition to play regularly during the remainder of the campaign, which we fully support, and we hope this period concludes a really positive start to his time at Sunderland AFC.”

Triantis made 20 appearances for Montgomery in the Central Coast Mariners' side that won the A-League title in 2023, and will spend the remainder of the campaign north of the border.

Montgomery told Hibernian: "Nectar is a young player that I know very well from my time in Australia. I signed him for the Mariners and gave him his A-League debut as I saw huge potential in him.

"He was a mainstay in our Championship winning team before joining Sunderland in the summer. Although he might not have played much this summer, when he has featured, he’s performed well.

"We have been chasing Nectar for some time, and although we thought he’d remain at Sunderland, circumstances changed last night, and we made a move to bring him to Hibs.

"I’m really happy to bring Nectar to the Club and look forward to him meeting the players at HTC. He adds to the quality we’ve already brought in during this window.”