Ian Poveda has arrived in Sunderland as the club’s third signing of the summer.
The Black Cats were reported to have interest in the winger after he was released by Leeds United, however he was believed to have a lot of Championship clubs interested in him.
Poveda spent the second half of last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, who were also eager to re-sign him.
Despite his successful stint at Hillsborough, Poveda eventually decided to join Sunderland on a three-year contract with the option of a further year.
The 24-year-old joins Simon Moore and Alan Browne as their third free transfer of the summer.
With Poveda having plenty of options for his next destination, he has now explained one key figure on Wearside who persuaded him to move.
Sunderland coach has given Poveda a lot of ‘love’
Speaking to the club media, he said: “The move came through Stuart Harvey, head of recruitment, and I just feel like the love behind the club, through Kristjaan and Stuart himself, the manager..
“I’ve also known Stuart English [head of coaching] from a really young age – when I was about 15 – I feel like i have the right people supporting me and just wanting the best for me. The love that I had, especially from Stuart Harvey, that is just something I can’t really describe.
“All I want to do is get on the pitch and play for Sunderland. The stadium, the fans, I’ve played here a couple of times – I’ve seen how full it gets and how the fans get behind the team.
“I feel good and I just want to help the club restore its glory. I don’t feel like we should be in the Championship and I fully believe the project. So here I am.”
Don’t pay attention to the stats
Poveda’s career is certainly one where his stats don’t tell the full story.
The Colombian only has four senior goals to his name and has only managed to rack up 77 appearances in his whole career.
However, if you ask any Sheffield Wednesday fan about him they will only have good things to say.
Poveda is creative, skilful and speedy, and if he can stay fit then he will be perfect competition for Patrick Roberts.
The attacker arrives in quite a similar state to Roberts, having been snubbed by Man City and spent a majority of his career out on loan.
The 27-year-old never found a proper home until committing his future to Sunderland and he went onto become a really important player – bar a disappointing 2023/24 campaign.
With Poveda joining for (potentially) four years, both parties have showed their commitment and it should hopefully allow him to settle in much quicker, get to know his teammates and put on some important performances.
He is undeniably a very good signing on a free transfer, but his fitness is certainly out of the club’s hands.
If he can rid of his injury problems then he can play a very important role in the push for promotion.