While still under contract in Gosford, the Mariners will not stand in 21-year-old De Silva’s way as he seeks to live up to hyperbole which has followed him since his breakthrough as a Perth Glory prodigy.
The attacking midfielder was in Brisbane last week for discussions with coach John Aloisi but the lure of joining a club backed by the City Football Group and its myriad pathways back to Europe and elsewhere has convinced the gifted but still developing De Silva to opt for City.
Joyce is said to excited by teaming De Silva, who joined Central Coast from JC Roda, with fellow rising stars Daniel Arzani and Nathaniel Atkinson in his continuing commitment to emerging talent.
De Silva’s agent, Italy-based former Socceroos midfielder Vince Grella, who also has Arzani under his wing, arrived in Australia last month to sort out the futures of several players in his stable - with De Silva high on that list.
De Silva still has contractual links to Roma, who snared him from Perth, but City are prepared to pay a fee to sever those ties in their entirety.
Both Grella and Melbourne City were contacted for comment on Sunday.
City last week released five players - forward Bruce Kamau, defender Ruon Tongyik, midfielder Nick Fitzgerald, youngster Christian Cavallo and veteran full-back Manny Muscat.
Kamau, Tongyik and Fitzgerald all joined fellow A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers.
