Sunderland Off-Loan Star To German Outfit

Last updated : 02 January 2013 By Tott Dixon - Seaham

Sunderland began their January business last night when Ji joined German outfit Augsburg on a loan deal until the end of the season.

 Ji’s departure has been brewing for several months after the Echo revealed in November that Bundesliga strugglers Augsburg were in talks over a loan switch for the 21-year-old.

Despite being included on the bench for Saturday’s defeat to Spurs, Ji has not featured for Sunderland’s first team this season and has struggled to even make an impression for the Black Cats Under-21s.

There was interest from Ji’s former employers Chunnam Dragons to take the striker back to the Korean K-League, but Augsburg’s persistence has seen them win the race for his signature.

Augsburg sporting director Stefan Reuter said: “Ji Dong-won can be used in several attacking positions and he’ll help us for the second half of the season.”

Ji joins Korean team-mate Koo Jas-Cheol at the Bavarian-based club.