Socceroos winger Marco Tilio has joined Scottish powerhouse Celtic, delivering Melbourne City an Australian league record transfer fee.
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Just weeks after former teammate Jordan Bos earned City a record fee of close to $2 million via his transfer to KVC Westerlo, the A-League Men club confirmed Celtic had surpassed that mark to secure star 21-year-old Tilio.
The fee for Tilio is understood to be more than $2 million.
Tilio, 21, scored nine goals and notched five assists in Melbourne City's run to the premiership and grand final this season.
The tricksy winger departs City after a brilliant three-year stint that earned him selection for the Tokyo Olympics, where he scored against Argentina, his first seven Socceroos caps and a late call-up for last year's World Cup.
"It is with mixed emotions that I leave City, I know that I will miss everyone at the club, and I thank everyone who both trusted me, helped me to grow and develop into who I am as a player and a person," Tilio said in a statement.
"I'm really excited about my new challenge at Celtic, and I hope I can make everyone back home proud of me."
Tilio joins Cammy Devlin, Kye Rowles, Nathaniel Atkinson, Keanu Baccus and Ryan Strain in Scotland.
But he won't have any familiar Australian faces at Celtic, with Aaron Mooy retiring and Brendan Rodgers taking over from now-Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou.
The exciting attacker had made it clear the season just gone would be his last in Australia.
"Obviously it's a goal of mine to go over to Europe and really test myself," Tilio told AAP in May.
"I've done a long-enough apprenticeship here in Australia where I feel I'm ready to go and test myself, start at the bottom again."
Tilio leaves City with three premierships, a championship, 20 goals and 19 assists across 86 appearances in all competitions.
"He arrived as a player with enormous potential, and whilst at City, he has taken great strides in developing the physical and tactical areas of his game," City football director Michael Petrillo said in a statement.
"With great character and hard work, Marco has kept improving, and has developed his game to a high level which has culminated in his Socceroo debut.
"Marco is a great young man and incredible talent for Australia and although we will miss him, both on and off the pitch, it's a special feeling to be able to help a player of his ability and ambition to play for one of the biggest clubs in world football."
Australian Associated Press
