Sunderland have been one of the most active Premiership sides in the early stages of the transfer window, with a total of six new players being added to the squad.
The big money sales of stars Darren Bent, Jordan Henderson and Kenwyne Jones has meant Steve Bruce has plenty of money available for rebuilding his squad for the start of next season.
Bruce has took his total signings this summer to six as strikers Connor Wickham and Ji Dong-won, midfielders Sebastian Larsson and Craig Gardner and goalkeeper Keiren Westwood joined the Black Cats.
Craig Gardner is understood to have been brought in to fill in the midfield role left vacant by Jordan Henderson’s high profile switch to Liverpool.
Speaking following his move to Sunderland Gardner said, ‘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.’
