The inside track on Sunderland's most interesting summer signing yet and what it tells us about the road ahead

It is not a path well trodden and as such, it makes Sunderland's fifth summer signing perhaps their most interesting.

Arbenit Xhemajli piqued Sunderland fans' interest a fortnight ago when he posted a picture outside Newcastle Airport on his Instagram story.

That journey was a crucial one.

Phil Parkinson spoke earlier this summer of the exhaustive work done to vet the countless players pushed in Sunderland's direction.

The club's main analyst, Mark Boddy, is a vital initial part of that process and any player who looks like they could potentially make the grade then comes under Parkinson's microscope.

Parkinson liked what he saw from the footage, but there is no substitute for time on the grass.

That Xhemajli was willing to make the trip and prove his worth was one box very much ticked.

When he arrived, his temperament and attitude ticked another.

The Kosovan was asked to take part in the pre-season friendly with Gateshead and again, did so without hesitation.

By the time Xhemajli was introduced for the second half, the Black Cats were largely in control and in truth, the 22-year-old was rarely tested defensively.

But there was evidence of his imposing presence, a thumping header from a corner finding the far post.

As a player who has played on the left of a back three before, it was clear that he would fit seamlessly into Parkinson's 3-4-3 shape and provide the natural competition he wanted for Tom Flanagan.

It's an important role in his system as not only does it involve beginning many attacks by bringing the ball out from defence, but there is also a responsibility to provide the defensive protection that allows Denver Hume to get high up the pitch.

"He is 6 foot 3 and we wanted more height in the backline," Parkinson explains.

"He has that physicality but he's also a good footballer. He can pass the ball and he's mobile.

"We're trying to build a team that can step onto the opposition and be aggressive in the way we play.

"To do that you need mobility in your defence. I feel we've got that now."

Beyond his place in the XI, Xhemajli's arrival is a fascinating one in the wider context of where Sunderland find themselves.

It has been a turbulent summer in which Tony Coton and Richard Hill, influential members of the football operation during the first two seasons of Stewart Donald's tenure, departed.

The Black Cats also found themselves contending not just with the impact of COVID-19 on finances across the game, but also the hugely prohibitive new salary cap rules.

It has led, with active support from new CEO Jim Rodwell and non-executive director David Jones, to a renewed focus on youth and creating 'value' in the team.

It's the type of climate that has brought Xhemajli, young and with potential to improve, onto the radar.

"Over the course of the summer you get a lot of players recommended to you," Parkinson says.

"As a staff, you spend a lot of time looking at them on the wyscout system we've got and he is one player who we just felt, the age he was at, the ability he had to play on the left of the back three or in a two, as well.

"The wages being reasonable as well, coming into the salary cap era [was key].

"We invited him over because you can sit and watch hours of footage of wyscout, I think I've watched just about every game he's ever played, but it was key to have that few days with him and to get to know him.

"It was important for him as well, because this is a big step.

"There were two Bundesliga 2 teams who wanted to take him, but we worked hard to get it done.

"There will be a period of adaptation for him but he's a player who wants to learn and one who I think will be a quick learner."

If the deal reflects Sunderland adjusting to a new era, then there remains much work to be done.

Both Rodwell and Jones have spoken about their desire to ensure the club are best utilising the wide range of data and analytics available.

It's an essential move if the club are to find players who are capable of generating a significant resale value in the future.

For now, though, the essential head of recruitment position remains unfilled and quite clearly, it has meant extra in this most challenging of summers.

"We need to resolve that position," Parkinson says.

"It has been difficult to bring someone in during the current climate.

"We've worked together as a staff and with our analyst [this summer].

"Going forward the head of recruitment and the recruitment team needs rebuilding.

"I think the minute the club knows crowds are definitely going to be allowed back in, because I think there's still a bit of nervousness across the board in football, that situation will be resolved.

"Is it ideal? No, but sometimes you have to make the best of a situation and that's what we've done."

Jones spoke recently of the challenge in assembling a squad capable of winning promotion this year, and one that also has value for the club in the long-term.

The business done so far (and some of it still to be done) reflects that difficult balancing act.

The move for Xhemajli is one of the more daring decisions and perhaps if it proves to be a successful one, it could yet be one of the most vital.

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