Sunderland star changes agents after World Cup appearance as former stars land golf trophy
The latest news from Sunderland as a Black Cats player changes agents and four former stars experience derby success.
Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra has pledged to ‘give everything for Sunderland and Senegal’ after joining the Roc Nation Sports International agency.
Founded by US rap legend Jay-Z in 2013, RNSI is already home to some of the biggest sports stars across the globe including Brazil international Vinicius Junior, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley and England Rugby Union international lock Maro Itoje.
Fresh from his first season at the Stadium of Light, Diarra has now become the 12th player within Roc Nation’s client list to have featured at the World Cup finals after he helped Senegal reach the round-of-32 before their run was ended by a 3-2 defeat against Belgium earlier this month. The 22-year-old has now set his sights on impressing for Sunderland during a season where they will compete in the Europa League for the first time in their history and has revealed his delight over his change of agency.
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Speaking after agreeing the deal, Diarra said: "Joining the Roc Nation Sports International family is an incredibly proud moment for me and my family. On the pitch, my focus is always on giving everything for Sunderland and Senegal, and I wanted to partner with representatives who understand my ambition off the pitch, too. Roc Nation Sports International is a global powerhouse that does things differently. From our very first conversation, it was clear that they care about me as a person, not just a football player. I am excited to take this next step in my career knowing I have a proven team behind me."
Marcos Casseb, Vice President at Roc Nation Sports International Brazil, added: “Habib is a phenomenal talent who has already proved his quality on the world’s biggest stages. Our goal is to provide a true 24/7, white-glove service that emboldens our athletes, celebrates their authentic stories, and sets them on a path towards achieving all of their goals. Habib embodies the drive, resilience, and ambition that define our agency, and we look forward to elevating his success on and off the field."
Cock O' The North Golf success for former Sunderland quartet
Sunderland will hope four former players have shown the way to success ahead of the new season after they saw off Newcastle United and Middlesbrough to claim the Cock O' The North Golf Trophy at Ramside Hall recently.
FA Cup hero Richie Pitt, European Golden Boot winner Kevin Phillips, 1992 FA Cup finalist Gordon Armstrong and former Wales international Danny Collins took the honours against a star-studded field winning the Stableford format event. Sunderland Former Player Association (SFPA) chairman Richie Pitt organised the event with Ramside's Course Ranger Berwick Hall.
After the event, Pitt said: "Today was great, with some good golf, good craic and decent weather. Obviously I'm delighted we won but all three teams played their part in getting the Cock O' The North event up and running again. When I returned as chairman of the SFPA, I wanted to try to revive the Cock O' The North event. For years it was a well-loved fixture, sponsored by the late Matty Roseberry. Thanks to Berwick and sponsor Mark Foster we have got it up and running again. Who knows, we might be able to expand it in future and get more northern teams involved."
Newcastle's four-man team featured ex-England centre back Steve Howey, while Middlesbrough fielded former Manchester United star Gary Pallister; popular former forward Craig Hignett and father and son duo Nick and Jack Barmby. Sunderland's quartet found the answers on the Prince Bishops Course, winning the Stapleford format event with a points total of 117, edging out Boro on 113, with Newcastle third on 90.
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