Melbourne Victory have strengthened their already impressive midfield stocks by signing exciting North Queensland youngster Isaka Cernak.
Cernak, who has represented Australia at both under-20 and under-23 level, will join the Victory in April time for their Asian Champions League campaign on a two-year deal.
With uncertainty continuing to surround the future of North Queensland, Cernak is the first player to move on after all Fury players - besides David Williams - were allowed to talk with other clubs at the start of the month.
A pacy and skilful ball-player, Cernak has been in sensational form for the Townsville club this season and will be a valuable addition to the Victory side from next season.
"It's an exciting opportunity for me to be joining a club like Melbourne Victory, but my focus for the rest of the season is with the Fury and making sure we get ourselves into the top-6 and take part in the finals for the first time," Cernak said.
"I'm very grateful to everyone at North Queensland for showing faith in me, they gave me a chance to play regular football and that's why it was such a difficult decision."
"Like any young footballer, I have ambitions of playing overseas one day and the prospect of AFC Champions League football with Victory was too good to refuse."
Victory Football Operations Manager Gary Cole said of Cernak: "We've been watching Isaka develop since he first started playing for Brisbane a couple of seasons ago and the more we've seen of him, the more we've liked."
"He's an ideal player for us. He's quick and he's not afraid to take players on, which is how Melbourne Victory likes to play. We want our attacking players to run at defenders and he certainly fits the bill."
"Isaka had always shown flashes of brilliance, but he's really matured into a consistent performer this year, and we think he'll compliment our midfield perfectly next season."