Former Sunderland winger hails arrival of Malick Fofana to the club.

Former Sunderland favourite Aiden McGeady has hailed the arrival of Malick Fofana and believes he could prove to be a key weapon for SAFC this season.

With Regis Le Bris’ side battling on several fronts including the Europa League, Sunderland moved to bolster their squad further with six senior signings this summer and three more on deadline day including Fofana.

Sunderland beat Premier League rivals Crystal Palace to the signing of the former Lyon winger on a long-term contract. It concluded one of the most extraordinary transfer sagas of recent times on Wearside, with Palace almost hijacking a deal that had been agreed early on deadline day. However, after further talks and the personal intervention of Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, Fofana recommitted to the move to Wearside.

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McGeady, speaking exclusively to the Echo via BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest Premier League odds said: “Sunderland surprised us all last season by signing over £100 million worth of players. We've seen that happen before with Fulham and then go straight back down, but Sunderland managed to qualify for Europe. So it worked last season.

“Obviously this season the transfer window was quiet up until the last few days. It's a big statement for Sunderland to get Malick Fofana on the final day of the window, wasn't it? He had two medicals done with private jets going from club to club. From the bits I've seen of him, I think he looks like a really good player.

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“The onus is on Sunderland to try and progress, I don't think they'll repeat what they did last season, but just to stay in the league again is the biggest thing. You don't want to be one of those clubs that's always yo-yoing between the Championship and the Premier League.

“Obviously, the difference this season is that you've got European football to contend with as well. But no, Fofana is a great coup for Sunderland to get that player over the line. I'm looking forward to seeing him play because, from the bits I've seen, I like the way he plays.”

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