Black Cats manager Regis Le Bris is eager to make up for lost time following his late appointment, and the former Preston player has caught his eye. With over 400 appearances for Preston, nearly 350 of which were in the Championship, the 29-year-old midfielder brings the experience Sunderland needs in midfield.
Having opted not to renew his contract at Deepdale, the player is seeking his second English club in a decade. Le Bris has openly emphasized the importance of adding experienced players to avoid the slump that plagued the club last season.
“We are considering bringing in one or two experienced players who are well-versed in the Championship and maintain high training standards,” Le Bris said. “They can help control the game and lead the team on the field.”
The player in question, valued at €3 million by Transfermarkt (£2.5 million), has never been involved in a domestic transfer. He joined Preston from Cork City in 2014 and has since earned 35 caps for Ireland, scoring five goals, including three in 2022.
Reports suggest he has had discussions with Sunderland and even visited Wearside after his release from Preston at the end of last season.
Sunderland is keen to make swift progress following the delayed appointment of Le Bris. After Michael Beale’s sacking last season, Mike Dodds served as interim manager, securing only two wins in 13 matches. While this kept the club in the Championship, it was a disappointing end to a season that had seen them initially considered play-off contenders.
Le Bris, appointed on July 1st after a lengthy selection process, is now working quickly to build his squad, with recent links also emerging to former Sheffield United midfielder Oliver Norwood.
Writer’s View
This is exactly the sort of signing you would want to see as a Sunderland fan. When Le Bris came in, there was a fear among some sections of the support that an endless stream of European players could arrive, not entirely aware of the challenges the Championship poses.
Instead, they’re targeting players who know exactly what it is all about. Browne is a Championship stalwart, who has probably played as many games as anyone in the division. He’s been effective for Preston throughout his time there and has a huge reputation for professionalism and application.
This is exactly the sort of signing you should ant to see if you’re a fan of the Black Cats.
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