We’ve seen three new arrivals in the last few days at the club so on deadline day; we look at who we’ve just brought in over the weekend. Lee Johnson also gave a transfer update post the disappointing draw at home to Gillingham on Saturday which suggested the departure of a few fringe players, including Will Grigg. This is your one shop guide to the three new signings on Wearside!
LJ Transfer Update
"In terms of incomings, we would be done I think with three if we got them. Outgoings, we'll have to wait and see but we want to trim the squad. Just to make sure that it is competitive but not too competitive, so players don't feel there's no chance of getting game time. I’d be more than happy to have Will (Grigg) here but it does then become a case of how many strikers we have. Will wants to play every game, he wants to be closer to his family who are in Stafford, and we are probably going to have to accommodate that on this occasion if we get that extra man in."
Ross Stewart
The most recent addition to Sunderland’s squad is 24 year Ross County striker, Ross Stewart who was targeted by former SAFC gaffer Jack Ross at Hibs. Stewart may give us a much needed burst of pace up from which Charlie Wyke doesn’t offer, although the big front man will undoubtedly still have a key role on Wearside. The Scottish striker moves south of the border from Dingwall with high praise from Ross County fans and has netted two goals this season for the SPL strugglers in 19 appearances, although he has had more luck in the Scottish League Cup, where he has struck the back of the net four times in five games. He signs on a two and a half year contract with an option of a third year for an undisclosed fee; he would’ve been out of contract in the Highlands at the end of the season anyway.
Stewart on Signing for Sunderland
“I’m very excited and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season, when the opportunity came to come to Sunderland, I just wanted to get it done as soon as I could. I will give one hundred percent in every game; I’m a very committed and hard-working player, and as a striker, hopefully I can bring a lot of goals to the club as well.”
What the Boss had to say
“I think Ross is a player that will be great for us in the short term, but he can also develop and improve over the long term, He’s at a good age, he’s very fit and quick, and he obviously has good height as well, so he has all attributes to succeed. We are very pleased to welcome him to the club.”
Jordan Jones
Another signing from north of the border, although this is a loan until the end of the season, the short term temporary deal sees Rangers and Northern Ireland international winger Jordan Jones move to Wearside. Despite representing the GAWA internationally, he was born just down the road in Redcar. Jones impressed at SPL side Kilmarnock before making a, move on a free transfer to his boyhood club Rangers but has failed to make any inroads to Steven Gerrard’s squad. He knows what the North East is about, being a native, as well as the fact he has represented both the Boro and Hartlepool United. His arrival at the SoL may see the end of Chris Maguire’s Sunderland career as he doesn’t seem to be in favour with new boss Lee Johnson, so there’s definitely potential that the Scottish winger may leave later today. A tricky winger who can play either side will almost certainly be an asset in our promotion push this season.
Jones on Signing for Sunderland
“I’m delighted to be here, and just can’t wait to get playing football again, there was a lot of speculation, and it was well documented that I was going to leave Rangers on loan this window. I spoke to a few clubs in the Championship and a few clubs in League One, and Sunderland came in this week. I had a Zoom call with the manager, probably about an hour, and called my agent after that and said, ‘Look, this is the only move for me – let’s get this done as quick as we can’. Forty-eight hours later and I’m sat here, so I’m over the moon. I was 100 per cent in coming after speaking to the manager but again, a club with such a big fan base and such passion and I know it might be cliché but I think the club is a sleeping giant. After speaking to the manager and hearing his vision for the future it was a no brainer to come and the fans were a massive bonus. That was a massive thing that swayed me.”
LJ on Jordan Jones
“As Jordan comes in, we are looking forward to working with him and seeing what he brings to our squad, he is a player with the type of qualities that fit the positional profile we wanted to add to the squad.”
Jake Vokins
The 20 year old Southampton left back has also signed on loan for the remainder of the season, providing a healthy competition for Sunderland academy product, Denver Hume when he returns from injury. Although we already have Callum McFadzean who can play in that role, he has received a fair bit of criticism over his defensive capabilities, which may in turn suggest that he may also be heading for the Stadium of Light exit door later on. Vokins arrives from the highly regarded Saints academy which has produced some household names over the years from Gareth Bale to Adam Lallana, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The young full back has even made Premier League starts this season for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men and is highly rated by fans of the South Coast side. He is here to play games, as he says in his first comments and this suggests he may even become first choice for the rest of the season.
Vokins on Signing for SAFC
“I want to come here and play games, and help the team get promoted this season, I feel I can bring my qualities to the team – I’m good on the ball and I can deliver crosses, so hopefully that allows the team to score more goals. It’s a big club and I can’t wait to get started.”
Lee Johnson on Vokins’ Arrival
“Jake is a bright young player, who is clearly rated by Southampton, our full-backs have a similar philosophy to him – defensively and offensively – so we think he will fit in nicely and we are looking forward to working with him. We are grateful to Southampton for entrusting us with his development. We are grateful to Southampton for entrusting us with his development.”
