'I had 14 missed calls' - Former Black Cat Adam Matthews opens up on whirlwind Sunderland transfer

The Wales international joined the Black Cats in a deal worth around £2.5 million during Dick Advocaat’s time in the dugout at the Stadium of Light, and went on to make 67 appearances in a red and white shirt before leaving Wearside in July of last year.

But according to the full-back himself, he was initially unaware that the Hoops had agreed to let him go to the north east because he was fast asleep on the sofa.

In a wide-reaching interview with Si Ferry on the Open Goal podcast, the 28-year-old spoke at length about his time in Glasgow, his spell with Sunderland, and how his arrival on Wearside came about.

“It was a bit weird, really,” he said.

"My agent said there was interest from Sunderland. I said, ‘Okay, speak to them, see what they’re saying’. I left training, came home, fell asleep on the sofa with the TV on.

"Woke up about four o’clock to ten missed calls from my agent. Sky Sports News was on, I just saw ‘Celtic have agreed £2 million bid for Adam Matthews’. I was like ‘Jesus’, so I rang my agent.

"I swear down I fell asleep. I must have had about 14 missed calls from my agent. I rang him, he was like ‘Sunderland want you down tonight to sign’. I jumped in the car, drove, met my agent at Sunderland, and that’s how quick it was. I didn’t really have time to think about it, to be honest.”

Matthews had fallen considerably down the pecking order at Parkhead prior to his move to the Stadium of Light, but still told Ferry that he considers his time in Glasgow to be the best of his career.

The Welshman enjoyed intermittent spells of first team action in the north east, but was shipped out on loan to Bristol City twice, and had been a free agent since leaving the club before penning a deal with Charlton Athletic last season.