Sunderland

We asked for your comments on Sunderland's January transfer business.

Here are some of your responses:

Adrian: I worry about losing another academy player this time to Brighton and two more targets chose other Championship teams over us. Why are we not attracting players?

Dan: I think there were three priorities: 1. A striker 2. A striker 3. A striker. So not the best window really.

Ant: After a transfer window you hope your squad has improved. I don't think even Speakman could claim that this time. A solid, reliable, experienced player departs replaced by wingers with 'potential' that we don't need anyway. Oh, nearly forgot - just where is that goalscorer that everyone knows we need.

Kathleen: What a shower. Not a clue. We're going backwards. Laughing stock of the North East. How long can we go on without a recognised striker?

Mike: Three middle of the road signings. Loss of a key quality experienced player who would rather play for Mowbray than Beale. Still no punchy number 9. What is there to like about that?

Lawrence: Poor transfer window as expected. How is it that a club the size of Sunderland cannot compete with the likes of Ipswich for Kieffer Moore?

Pete: Underwhelming window which doesn’t address any of our issues. Talk of Diallo and Moore, as expected, amounting to nothing. Absolutely zero ambition shown. Now waiting for the ultimate irony of Mowbray’s Birmingham finishing higher than us.

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Sunderland have announced a late transfer signing bringing Rhys Walsh to Wearside.

The 17-year-old winger arrives from Northern Ireland and will be part of the Black Cats' academy set-up but has made senior appearances for old club Glentoran including in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.

On the club website, academy manager Robin Nicholls said: “Rhys is a player we have coveted for some time and he spent a period with us on trial earlier in 2023.

"He is an exciting forward, who can operate on either wing or play centrally, and he will join our Under-18 set-up for the remainder of the season.

"We are delighted to welcome him to Sunderland and after gaining senior experience this season with Glentoran, we hope that he will be able to settle quickly and hit the ground running.”

The January transfer window is now closed!

Sunderland secured the signings of Leo Hjelde and Romaine Mundle on permanent deals while Callum Styles joined the club on loan with an option to become permanent at the end of the season.

Hjelde comes from Championship rivals Leeds and is a ball-playing defender who can play left-centre-back, left-back and left-wing-back.

Mundle is a pacey winger joining from Standard Liege who came through Tottenham's academy system.

Styles from League One's Barnsley is a utility-man compared to Luke O'Nien in terms of the amount of positions he can play but is most comfortable in central midfield.

Harry Gardiner, Jack Diamond, Jewison Bennette, Nectarios Triantis, Jay Matete and Eliezer Mayenda all left Wearside on loan deals while Alex Pritchard and Josh Robertson left the club on permanent deals.

How do you feel about the Black Cats' business in the transfer window?

Have your say here.

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Eliezer Mayenda has joined Hibernian on loan for the rest of the season.

The Spanish striker joins defender Nectarios Triantis at the Scottish side.

Mayenda joined Sunderland in the summer but suffered injury early on and has since struggled to get into the first team and is yet to score his first goal for the club.

On the club website, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman says, “Eliezer is an exciting prospect and we are really pleased by the way he’s adapted to the English game and embraced life at Sunderland.

"Opportunities for regular playing time in our senior team are limited at present and we wanted to ensure we made the best use of the remaining games this campaign.

"We believe this opportunity will achieve that outcome in a comparable environment that will provide big games in big atmospheres, which will benefit Eliezer ahead of a return to the Stadium of Light next season.”

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Callum Styles has signed for Sunderland from Barnsley.

The midfielder joins from the League One side on an initial loan with an option from the Black Cats to make the deal permanent.

On the club website, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman says, “Callum is an interesting player, who has the ability to play on the left side of central midfield or slightly wider in a full back or wing back role, so we feel his quality and flexibility will be a real benefit to us throughout the remainder of the season.

Having reached an agreement in principle last week, we had an unavoidable delay due to Callum’s illness, but after reviewing his progress, we are now delighted that he’s here and we look forward to his imminent return to action.”

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Jay Matete has joined Oxford United on loan for the rest of the season.

The midfielder has made the move to the League One club for the rest of the season.

The 22-year-old has been injured throughout the season so far and spent the second half of last season with Plymouth Argyle.

On the club website, sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman says, “We were pleased with Jay’s progress last season and he returned from his loan spell ready to challenge for a place in our team.

Unfortunately, he suffered a setback in pre-season but he’s worked hard to return to fitness and ensure he’s ready for the second half of the campaign.

Jay’s immediate requirements are best supported by playing regularly in the coming months and we hope this move provides a platform for him to do that.”

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Josh Robertson has joined Brighton and Hove Albion.

The 18-year-old midfielder was a prospect in the youth teams but was yet to make a first team appearance.

On the club website, academy manager Robin Nicholls said: “Josh’s scholarship was due to expire at the end of this season and after indicating that he did not wish to commit his future to SAFC, we reluctantly accepted to pursue the next-best solution for the Club and the player.

"We are disappointed that Josh will be departing the group, as he is a player with potential that we hoped could eventually progress into our senior team, but we wish him well for the future and are proud to have played an integral role in his development.”

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Marco Gabbiadini has been talking about how highly he rates Abdoullah Ba.

On BBC Radio Newcastle's Total Sport, the former Sunderland striker said, "I like Ba. He's a bit of a fire starter.

"He takes the ball to the opposition. He wants to go past people. He's got some silky little tricks hasn't he? He has a little feint and goes past people quite easily.

"I've always been a fan of him actually, so it'd be nice to see him get a bit more of an influence and I think when he does get these minutes, he comes on or does get the odd game because of injury or whatever, he always seems to have an impact on the game whether it's an assist or the odd goal here and there.

"He's another one who I'd be pleased if he got a few more opportunities to show us really what he's all about.

"He has got a bit of pace about him as well. You know, sort of, tight areas, he can wriggle through spaces and get towards the goal. I think we need a little bit more of that.

"A little bit more adventure around the box rather than... Sometimes with Roberts, he does like to pass in little triangles, move the ball and get it back in a different place where as I think Ba sometimes is a bit more direct and gets you where you want to be quicker."

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Sunderland target Kieffer Moore has joined Ipswich Town on loan from Bournemouth.

Fans were hoping for the striker to join the Black Cats to answer calls for an experienced forward but the club were unable to compete with The Tractor Boys to pay for Moore's wages.

Keep up with all transfer news here.

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We asked for your reaction to Alex Pritchard's Sunderland exit as the midfielder joined Birmingham City on deadline day.

Here are some of your comments:

Chris: Very sorry to see Pritchard go, one of Sunderland's best players we can ill afford to lose. Don't know what has gone on at the club regarding Pritchard, but he has acted in a very unprofessional way refusing to play for us again when he was under contract.

Robert: A good player and undoubtedly a loss to SAFC. The club needs to sign rather than lose a few more experienced players proven in the Championship to help the development of the younger squad members. I am not in a position to condemn him without knowing all the facts. As long as anyone in his position is prepared to take the consequences!

Simon: Selling Pritchard feels like a real backwards move. He is arguably the best midfielder we've had in a long time and the fact he is going to Birmingham to join Mowbray says it all. Beale is not up to the job and I just hope he doesn't drag us back into a relegation battle either this season or next. We should never have sacked Mowbray...

Phil: No fit player, under a reasonable contact, should be allowed to refuse to play! I do think he should have been given an improved contact, due to his importance over the last 18 months. Obviously, the club felt differently!

Charlie: While it’s disappointing to see Pritchard leave it’s been expected especially since he refused to play at the weekend. He has been a popular player since he arrived and helped the club to move forward but everyone’s time comes to an end eventually so goodbye and good luck in the future and thanks for the memories.

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Sunderland defender Nectarios Triantis has joined Hibernian on loan for the rest of the season.

The Australian centre-back joined the Black Cats in the summer but has spent more time in the youth set-up than with the first team and will be looking for more playing time in Scotland.

Triantis reunites with former manager Nick Montgomery who he played under at Central Coast Mariners.

On the club website, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman says, “Nectar’s move to Sunderland last summer was a big step for him – professionally and personally – and we are really pleased with his progress.

"We were happy for him to remain at the Club for the rest of the season, but felt this was a unique opportunity in a strong league at a Club where he has existing relationships, which will only help him.

"He has a strong ambition to play regularly during the remainder of the campaign, which we fully support, and we hope this period concludes a really positive start to his time at Sunderland AFC.”

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Alex Pritchard has posted a goodbye message on Instagram after joining Birmingham City on transfer deadline day.

The 30-year-old midfielder says, "Dear Sunderland fans, staff, and team mates.

"I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to the amazing fans, dedicated staff, and everyone associated with the club. Your unwavering support and passion have meant the world to me, and I am truly grateful for the unforgettable memories we’ve shared.

"I am immensely proud of the part I played in our promotion and the exhilarating experiences of competing in the Championship. These moments will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I will cherish them for the rest of my career.

"At this point of my career, stability and security are paramount, so I had to explore other avenues in the best interest for my career.

"Once again, I want to express my deepest thanks to each and every one of you for your incredible support and the unforgettable journey we’ve shared. I will always look back on my time at Sunderland with fondness and pride. I wish you nothing but success for the future.

"With warm regards,

"Pritch 🔴⚪️"

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Sunderland's new winger Romaine Mundle is ready and raring to go on Wearside.

In an interview with the club, the 20-year-old discusses what attracted him to the Black Cats and his experience at Tottenham and Standard Liege but his face really lights up when asked what kind of player he is.

"Quick winger. Skilful and willing to work hard" sounds like the makings of a fan favourite at the Stadium of Light.

Mundle says the move feels "surreal" and he "can't wait to get started, play in front of the fans and develop as a player."

The winger says, "For me, it was a no brainer. A club with a lot of history and I thought, yeah, this could be the right move for me in order to proceed in my career.

"The project and the fan base, the staff, I can't really say no to be honest. Sunderland is a massive club in England and I thought for me and my development, I thought this was the right step."

It's clear the fans are a big draw for Sunderland's recruitment team. With the highest home and away attendances in the Championship - besting plenty of the Premier League crowds too.

After visiting the Stadium of Light, Mundle said, "I can't wait for it to be packed and playing in front of the fans. Amazing stadium. It just needs to get going now."

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Sunderland full-back Trai Hume faces tough competition at right-back for Northern Ireland with the emergence of Liverpool's Conor Bradley.

Hume has become one of the Black Cats' key players while Bradley has broken into Jurgen Klopp's side following an injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold and has impressed with six goal contributions in nine appearances this season.

When asked about fitting Hume and Bradley into the team, Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill said, external, "Trai is a very versatile player.

"If you looked at the start of the campaign, we played with three at the back. So, we played with a wing-back.

"I felt Conor was better suited in the first two games and Trai didn't play in the first two games because I had watched a lot of Conor play as a wing-back for Bolton. So, they were playing with that system and he played extremely well.

"Trai was playing more as a traditional right-back in a back four for Sunderland. But what Trai has is great flexibility. I was at his game on Saturday against Stoke, he was playing left-back. He's played left-back for us, he's a left-wing-back out in Denmark.

"That's the challenge. I think Conor can play in various positions as well. I think he's versatile. I think he could play higher up.

"They could both play on the right hand side depending on what system of play you play and I think either player if push came to shove, would be comfortable playing on the left hand side of the pitch.

"So, it's a nice problem to have. I'd rather have it than not have it."

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On BBC Radio Newcastle's football phone-in Total Sport, Marco Gabbiadini discussed the possibility of Luke O'Nien moving back to midfield.

The former Sunderland striker said, "Now we've got some more defensive options, maybe Luke O'Nien might end up back in midfield again because I do think we need a little bit more steel in there."

O'Nien has partnered Dan Ballard this season for Sunderland but has previously played all over the pitch for the Black Cats, initially as a central midfielder.

The current club captain faces competition from new signing Leo Hjelde who can play left-back or left-centre-back and Jenson Seelt, who has been impressing at right-back, is an option at centre-back too.

With Timothee Pembele returning from injury and Trai Hume currently playing on the left, Sunderland are developing a strong depth of right-backs which could see Seelt force his way in at centre-back instead.

Gabbiadini said, "I thought Seelt did well on Saturday. He likes a tackle, gets stuck in but also not afraid to pass forward. He did pass forward quicker. It wasn't intricate from him. He got the ball into dangerous areas.

"I thought he did okay but all these players, they all have the same issue, they all want to play and get more minutes to keep improving. Pembele we've not really seen hardly any of him, so he'll be desperate to try and get some minutes under the belt but there's a few options."

When considering Sunderland's currently injured defensive options of Dennis Cirkin, Aji Alese, Niall Huggins. If everyone is fully fit, there's an embarrassment of riches in defence for Sunderland.

Corry Evans has been out for some time with a serious injury and Jay Matete has struggled with fitness too.

Dan Neil, Pierre Ekwah and Jobe Bellingham have played the majority of games this season but there is a lack of cover and all of them have shown their strength in more attacking positions.

Many fans are crying out for a holding midfielder. Is Luke O'Nien the man for the job?

Have your say here.

Image source, Sunderland AFC

Sunderland have announced the signing of Romaine Mundle.

The winger joins the Black Cats from Belgian side Standard Liege on a four-and-a-half-year contract.

On the club website sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said, “Talented players like Romaine are highly sought after and we saw this first hand in the summer when he left Tottenham Hotspur.

"We didn’t anticipate him being available on a permanent basis, but when we sensed an opportunity, we moved quickly and decisively to make it happen - our ways of working and structure are a real strength in these moments.

"This is an important step in Romaine's career following a spell overseas and we look forward to helping him settle, as he makes Sunderland his new home.

"He’s got a bright future ahead of him as part of an exciting squad, and we look forward to working with him."

Image source, Birmingham City FC

Alex Pritchard has joined Championship rivals Birmingham City, reuniting with former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray.

On the club website, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said, “First and foremost, we thank Alex for the contribution he has made to Sunderland AFC.

"He played an important role in our promotion from League One and has been a prominent member of our squad in the Championship, and I’m sure he will be fondly remembered by our supporters.

"Transfer windows are challenging periods for all involved, so we are pleased to have reached a suitable conclusion for the Club and Alex, who leaves with our best wishes.”

Pritchard was highly admired for his forward thinking creativity in midfield but in his final week some fans may have soured on him after the 30-year-old refused to play against Stoke City withdrawing himself from selection.

How will you remember Pritchard and how do you feel about him leaving?

As deadline day looms, we want to know what your ideal final day of transfer business would look like for Sunderland.

So far the only business of the window has been signing Leo Hjelde from Leeds and Jewison Bennette leaving on loan to Aris FC.

Do the Black Cats need to make any signings? If so, who should they look to bring in? And does anyone need to be offloaded?

Alex Pritchard looks set to leave the club while Romaine Mundle appears Wearside-bound. Amad Diallo and Kieffer Moore are also among the names reportedly linked with Sunderland.

Let us know your views here

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Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini has reacted to Jewison Bennette leaving the club to join Aris FC on loan.

On Total Sport, BBC Radio Newcastle's football phone-in, the Black Cats icon said: "He's a player who's played in a World Cup so immediately your ears prick up and think 'oh god, he must have a chance' but he came very young.

"He's still very young and hasn't quite got regular minutes has he?

"We've seen some flashes of quality from him but he hasn't been able to put together enough to make a case to be a regular in the team.

"From what I've read there's been talk of a view to a permanent deal but that's been knocked back so, I think probably the thinking is that he goes and gets some experience and comes back to us in the future and keeps progressing.

"As I've said, very young player, we've seen he has the ability to excited but you know, you've got to bring consistency and a little bit more experience to the table and that's what this will do.

"Fair play to these lads, you know, he's Costa Rican, he's come over to England, he's had time here and now he's going off to Greece which is again a very different culture.

"I had a little spell in Greece. There's an intensity about Greek football and he'll have to get up to that speed very quickly."

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BBC Radio Newcastle understands that Sunderland are still short of what Bournemouth want for striker Kieffer Moore.

The Cherries don't think star man Dominic Solanke is going anywhere and may be minded to keep Moore, so it may be down to how much the Black Cats' target agitates for a move.

Ipswich and Sunderland appear to be ahead of Cardiff but all three clubs remain a long way off what Bournemouth are looking for in terms of wage contribution.