Sunderland manager Steve Bruce and new signings http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Craig-Gardner-c9475 look forward to the new season
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce confirmed the signing of Craig Gardner, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ji-Dong-Won-c18522 and Connor Wickham so far in the summer transfer window.
Gardner, the 24-year-old midfielder, moves to the Stadium of Light from relegated side Birmingham City for an undisclosed fee.
While the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749 under-21 international is contracted to Birmingham City until the end of the 2014, he is looking for a move to a Premier League side.
Gardner is Sunderland’s third signings so far, with the Black Cats having secured South Korean forward Ji Dong-Won and Ipswich youngster Connor Wickham.
While Gardner’s transfer fee has not been disclosed, it is expected to be in the region of £4.5 - 6 million. The striker will be taking over from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 for a fee of £16 million.
Gardner finished last season as Birmingham City’s highest scorer, scoring eight goals in 29 appearances in the Premier League.
Gardner revealed he was extremely pleased with having made a move to Sunderland, he said in an interview:
“It's unbelievable, to be honest. As soon as I found out Sunderland were interested, it was a no-brainer.
Obviously, I have heard so much about Steve Bruce and his backroom staff and how good a chairman Niall Quinn is.
It's such a massive club and their ambitions for this season meet my ambitions, and it was too good to turn down.”
Gardner revealed another reason why he had picked Sunderland over the other sides’ was the Black Cats plans for the future.
He revealed he was impressed with their ambitious plans and hopes of finishing as high up in the table as possible and qualifying for European football next season.
Steve Bruce, like Gardner, is extremely hopeful about the upcoming season, especially with the new signings he has managed to secure in the transfer window.
Bruce revealed he was excited about the arrival of the young South Korean striker, whose work permit and other details have been worked out.
The Sunderland boss said while speaking to reporters:
"The boy has been in fantastic form for both club and country and he was one of South Korea's stand-out performers at the Asian Cup, so we are delighted to bring him to Sunderland.”
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