Sunderland seal Jack Rodwell deal with Manchester City

Sunderland, 11/4 for a top ten finish, have signed midfielder Jack Rodwell from Manchester City for a reported fee of £10m.

The England midfielder becomes Black Cats boss Gus Poyet’s fifth summer signing, after he snapped up free agents Jordi Gomez, Billy Jones and Costel Pantilimon, and secured former Chelsea defender Patrick van Aanholt for an undisclosed fee.

Rodwell will join on a five year deal, and swaps the Etihad for the Stadium of Light after making just 26 outings for City over two seasons.

The 23-year-old has struggled with injuries since his move from boyhood club Everton in 2012, where he made 109 appearances and netted nine goals.

Ex-Toffees star Rodwell is still highly-rated despite recent setbacks, and will provide Poyet with versatility, as he is able to operate as either a defensive or box-to-box midfielder, and can also fill in at centre back.

Poyet has been vocal about the need for Black Cats reinforcements and Rodwell will certainly help plug the gaps in midfield, following the departures of Jack Colback, Craig Gardner and Ki Sung-yueng. Last campaign’s loan star Santiago Vergini has also reportedly agreed to sign a permanent deal at the Stadium of Light, and forward Fabio Borini continues to be linked with a return.

Rodwell, who has been capped three times for England, will be hoping the switch from Premier League champions City to last term’s relegation candidates Sunderland can boost his playing time and chance of a Three Lions recall.

Following the England international’s exit, City will need to keep an eye on their quota of homegrown stars, having seen Gareth Barry and Joleon Lescott also leave the Etihad for pastures new. The addition of Frank Lampard on a six-month loan deal from New York City should help them keep within FIFA fair play rules, though.

Sunderland have confirmed the deal on their offical website, stating: “Sunderland have completed the signing of midfielder Jack Rodwell from Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City.

“The highly sought-after 23-year-old has penned a five-year deal on Wearside and joins for an undisclosed fee.”