Sunderland have been on the lookout this summer for genuine quality that will improve their squad. The business done by sporting director Lee Congerton has been well thought out and so far the club are yet to break the bank, this is despite signing five players so far. ReadSunderland look at the new recruits that will wear the red and white strip next season.
Sebastian Coates – First to come through the door was Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates. The Uruguayan signed for a cut-price £2million deal after a fairly successful loan move last season on Wearside. Familiar with the club, the 24-year old has the advantage of knowing his teammates, and at a slow fee, the risk for the deal is minimal. Coates has only one motive and that is to play well and consistently in the premier league for Sunderland after a frustrating spell on Merseyside. Despite the low media attention surrounding the signing, the full international with premier league and European experience may just turn out to be one of Sunderland’s best pieces of business this summer.
Adam Matthews – The young Welsh fullback became Sunderland’s second summer signing after completing a £1.5 million move from Scottish champions Celtic. Another full international with Wales, Matthews comes in to provide a genuine challenge to Billy Jones and Patrick Van Aanholt for a starting position at fullback. Matthews has impressed when fit for Celtic, although there has been concern north of the border about the 23-year old’s injury record. Should Matthews stay fit, then this may turn out to be a good full back partnership with the pace of Matthews and Van Aanholt on both flanks.
Jeremain Lens – Sunderland’s biggest signing of the summer so far came in the form of Dutch International winger Jeremain Lens. The £8 million arrival from Dynamo Kiev will encourage Sunderland supporters that last season’s second lowest goalscorers can do rather better this time around. The 27-year old will provide goals and assists which will please Jermain Defoe who has been feeding off scraps since his January move from Toronto. Lens has an impressive record in his career so far with 66 goals to his name from 230 appearances, much of which has been under current Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat. It remains to be seen whether lens can adapt to the premier league, but Sunderland have finally got a creative and pacey winger they have lacked for many years.
Younes Kaboul – The £4 million signing of Tottenham captain Younes Kaboul was Sunderland’s next capture. The French International joined Sunderland on the back of a disappointing campaign for Spurs blighted by injury. However, should the 29-year old stay fit, then Sunderland have grabbed a bargain, with the defender having years of premier league experience as well as leadership qualities that many fans feel the Black Cats have lacked in recent times. Kaboul will be fighting for a starting spot with fellow new signing Coates and veteran duo Wes Brown and John O’Shea.
Yann M’Vila – The latest of Sunderland’s summer recruits. M’Vila joined on a season-long loan from Rubin Kazan. The midfielder, who has been capped 22 times by France, spent last season on loan at Italian giants Inter Milan. He began his career with French Ligue 1 club Rennes, progressing into the first team and making over 120 appearances for the club. In the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons M’Vila led the French league stats in passes completed finishing the campaigns with an impressive combined success rate of 84%. Linked with big moves to Arsenal and Liverpool in the past, M’Vila decided to move to Russia where he had a mixed spell. M’Vila has the potential to be a fantastic singing for Dick Advocaat’s men, and with a view to a permanent move next summer, the Frenchman may be at the heart of the Sunderland midfield for many years to come.
