The 20-year old was the leading goal scorer for United in 2006/07, and he will be a major loss for the club, but CEO Sam Ciccarello said he or the club would not hold back the youngster in what promises to be a great opportunity.

"The club has agreed terms to release Nathan to AEK Athens. Nathan has been keen for sometime to look at overseas opportunities and whilst we made every effort to hold onto him with a very strong offer through the recently introduced under 23 marquee player scheme, we respect and support Nathan's desire to compete in a European league and he most certainly goes with our best wishes," he said.

"It has been wonderful for the club to have brought Nathan to Adelaide and to have been a key to his professional personal development over the past couple of years. We know Nathan is a great talent and feel that he has a big future in front of him," he added.

The signing is a major positive for one of Greece's biggest clubs as it will bolster a strike attack for a team that finished runner-up to Olympiakos last season.

Burns will sign a 2-year deal with the transfer fee reported at being $500,000.

He will most likely join the club just prior to the commencement of the Greek Super League season which is in September, after he finishes his all-important Beijing Olympic duties.