Adam Matthews making massive career strides with Sunderland switch

With Celtic having captured Manchester United right back Saidy Janko recently, as well as Manchester City’s Dedryck Boyata, Deila has plenty of defensive cover as Matthews makes a Premier League move.

Hoops boss Deila has been busy lightening his squad this summer, with right backs Mikael Lustig and Darnell Fisher also on the Bhoys’ books, and Matthews joins a Black Cats revolution under Dutchman and former Rangers coach Dick Advocaat.

Sunderland narrowly survived the drop to the Championship last term with a mini-revival during the season run-in, and are keen to avoid another daunting relegation battle next campaign (2/1 to go down).

The Wearside club have already captured Uruguay international centre half Sebastian Coates form Liverpool on a permanent deal, having impressed at the end of last season’s survival scalp, while the club are also keen on pairing him with Zenit St Petersburg’s Nicolas Lombaerts.

Further forward, the Black Cats are looking at Stewart Downing, whose future at West Ham United looks increasingly uncertain following the capture of creative France international Dimitri Payet, and head coach Advoacaat’s attacking compatriot Jeremain Lens from Dynamo Kiev.

Welsh wideman Matthews has shown from his early Cardiff days he has both the attacking and defensive attributes in order to make a genuine impact in England’s top level, and the Stadium of Light will soon provide him with the platform to showcase those talents.

Capped 12 times for his country, including seven starts, Matthews will hope his high-profile switch to the Premier League will also catapult him into Chris Coleman’s immediate thinking for Euro 2016 qualifying later this year and the tournament in France next summer, as Wales continue to cause shockwaves in Group B (125/1 to win).