What is surprising is the fact that none of these signings were loan signings, they were all permanent deals which is pleasing for us Mackems.
The day started slow with only rumours going round and no word from the Sunderland camp but then, Sunderland's official website reported that Sunderland had signed Dwight Yorke on a two-year deal for £200,000 from Sydney FC. Roy Keane's first signing was quite a coup for Sunderland - being such a big name and that. Although probably not a prolific goalscorer anymore, Yorke will certainly give us the boost we need for that heavenly automatic promotion place.
Next was the turn of Graham Kavanagh. The 32-year-old, Wigan midfielder signed for the Black Cats shortly after Yorke did in a deal worth £500,000. The former Middlesbrough man will provide some much needed experience, he certainly hasn't had an amazing career but he is a consistent, no nonsense Irish midfielder who will wear the red and white stripes of Sunderland with pride.
Okay so now we have our first Irishman of the day, are we in for more? Read on and find out...
All day Sunderland were linked with a move for Stanislav Varga...remember him? Well personally, I thought nothing of it until it was on virtually every sport website covering the deadline day! Soon came the time when the big Slovak signed, along with fellow Celtic team-mate, Ross Wallace. The deal is worth £1.1m depending on performances. Ross Wallace is essentially a left-sided midfielder and will provide back-up for new signing Tobias Hysen, but he can also provide cover in the left-back position - currently filled by Robbie Elliot. Big Stan the man Varga, as you should all know, is a tough defender. He wasn't consistent during his first stint with Sunderland, however we must give him a chance and in my opinion, I think he will do us proud!
So now there's 4, and every member of the SunderlandMAD messageboard is sitting, anxiously watching Sky Sports News waiting for the next name to pop-up on the yellow bar at the bottom.
They waited...
...And waited a bit more...
Until...
Liam Miller! You know that good, young midfielder from Manchester United that spent most of last season on loan at Leeds? Well he signed a 3-year-deal and completed a free transfer from Manchester United to make it an incredible FIVE signings in one day alone for the Wearsiders. Oh and, yes he's Irish!
So now we have five new signings, two of them Irish and alot of very tired Mackems just about to get some rest. But Roy Keane wasn't going to let a good night end! No, he wanted to put more smiles on more red and white faces!
That's why he wrapped the night up with another Irish international, and another Wiganer. Most Sunderland fans will remember him from when he was at West Ham. Mick McCarthy tried desperatly to sign him but he opted to join Leicester instead. He goes by the name of David Connolly. He is 29-years-old and is very talented at putting a football in the back of the net (and I do mean the opposition's!) He joined the Wearsiders on a three-year deal from the mighty Wigan for a fee worth up to £1.9m depending on appearances.
So there we have it folks, six signings in one day. Three of them Irish. Two of them from Celtic. Two of them from Wigan and not one of them from an English league below us. Sunderland have spent potentially £3.7m and we're now, rightfully, one of the most, if not the most, feared team in The Championship. I for one, am extremely excited at the prospect of seeing these great players playing in the famous red and white stripes of Sunderland.
Regards,
Martyn
FTM (Who signed Giuseppe Rossi on-loan and Antoine Sibierski on deadline day! Impressed?)
P.S. Well done Roy, Niall & the rest of Drumaville. You have done us proud!
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