The 20-year-old flew out to Malaysia with his agent last night and will hold an official press conference later today before hitting the training paddock first thing tomorrow.

As reported last month by au.fourfourtwo.com, the Red Warriors are seeking to boost their foreign contingent ahead of their AFC Cup commitments which begin in March next year.

Petratos’s contract with Sydney was due to wind up at the end of the season. He joins the Malaysian outfit on a free transfer.

Relations between the out-of-favour striker and the Sky Blues grew increasingly toxic over recent months culminating in a training ground bust-up with goalkeeper coach, Zeljko Kalac.

The player was frustrated by the lack of game time – a feeling echoed by his agent who recently told au.fourfourtwo.com: “Obviously I’m not very happy because a player like that should be playing regularly.

“He’s young player, and we’re all about developing footballers and their careers, and if Sydney FC really care about his career they need to let him go.

“Putting him in the youth team is not developing him at all.”

A former Sydney NYL player, Petratos burst onto the scene for the Sky Blues during their 2010/11 campaign but more recently has failed to even make the bench.

He made just one appearance for the senior team this season in their 3-2 home loss to Newcastle Jets and was substituted early in the second half.

An official statement from the club said the player approached them last week asking to be released from his contract to pursue an opportunity overseas.

Petratos’ senior career began under the reign of former coach Vitezslav Lavicka who used the signing to hail the quality of youngsters coming through the ranks.

In January last year the Czech tactician said: “We've had many troubles this season but we identified (Petratos) and other young players and he's shown his quality in helping us to play better football this season.

"It wasn't a hard decision to re-sign him because we know Dimi's quality. Last season he trained with us when he played for the Sydney FC youth team but he's developed very well."

The Malaysian Super League kicks off again in January. Kelantan have filled their two-player foreign quota, however AFC Cup rules permit an additional overseas signing for the tournament.

Last season the club romped home with the Malaysian FA Cup, Malaysian Super League and the Malaysia Cup.

Petratos played 30 A-League matches since joining the club from the youth team in in 2010, scoring five goals. In May, he was linked with a move to new A-League outfit Western Sydney Wanderers but was declared off limits by the Sky Blues.