Ellis Simms has reminisced on his brief loan spell with Sunderland after joining Coventry City.
The striker spoke to to his new club about his time on Wearside after his permanent move to the Midlands was confirmed on Friday.
Simms bagged seven goals in the Championship last season before his loan was cut short and he returned to Everton in January.
After a disappointing stint back on Merseyside, the 22-year-old was the subject of interest from a number of English clubs hoping to sign him this summer.
The likes of Sunderland, Swansea City and Sheffield Wednesday failed in their pursuit of Simms, with Coventry eventually landing the forward for an initial £3.5 million which could rise to £5m depending on appearances and goals, then a hefty £8m if the Sky Blues win promotion.
When asked about his time at Sunderland, Simms told the club: “It was my first time playing in the Championship.
“It was a great experience for me and it was a little taste of it, but now I’m coming here on a permanent move so I can settle in and it’s my new home, so I can kick on and strive for more.
“Going on loan is temporary so the loans I’ve been on, I was only there for six months so you never really fully settle in. Hopefully now with the length of the contract I can settle in and build onwards and upwards.”
Does Ellis Simms’ cost breakdown at Coventry City make it more disappointing for Sunderland?
Sunderland fans were astonished when the news broke that Coventry City were paying £8m for Ellis Simms and it came as no surprise that the club weren’t willing to cough up that kind of money.
However, Coventry Live have now reported that it is an initial £3.5m deal rising to £8m in add-ons.
While that makes a lot more sense, the Black Cats would have arguably been pushing it to pay the initial fee in the first place.
Simms is also a proven goalscorer in the Championship so it would be surprising to see the Sky Blues not reach the £5m mark, while Sunderland’s goal for promotion would have been met with an extra £3m to fork out to Everton.
Simms’ cost breakdown looks a lot more reasonable, but he is still far from worth it.