The Canberra-born centre half was an integral figure in the Sky Blues Championship winning youth team last season.

He also helped guide the NPL first grade squad to the 2016 Premiership, Club Championship and subsequent promotion to the NPL 1 NSW Men’s competition for 2017.

Coach Graham Arnold said the young defender’s attributes and his performances in the youth team helped secure him a promotion to the A-League squad.

“George is a left-footed central defender which is hard to find here in Australia,” Arnold said.

“He’s had two very good years in our NYL team and progressed very well.

“He’s trained with us often and his promotion to a first team contract shows all the Academy players and youth team players that they have a perfect pathway set for first team football at Sydney FC.”

Timotheou, 19, described the two-year deal with the Sky Blues as a “dream come true”.

 “I’ve been a fan of Sydney FC since I was a young boy, so to sign a professional contract with my childhood club is one of the biggest highlights of my career,” he said.

“Graham spoke to me one on one about my season and told me at training that I was earning a contract. It was a bit unexpected but I’m really happy and can’t wait to get started.

“I just want to keep improving as a player, help the team in any way possible to win all three trophies this year and hopefully break into the first team make my A-League debut.”

Timotheou becomes the latest product of the Sky Blues’ youth setup, following the emergence of Vedran Janjetovic, Rhyan Grant, Matthew Jurman, Aaron Calver and George Blackwood.