Sunderland transfer latest with deals expected, appointments rumoured and injury concerns

The latest Sunderland headlines ahead of Sunday’s Championship opener against Ipswich Town.

The Championship season starts this weekend with Sunderland set to face Ipswich Town.

The Tractor Boys and Black Cats will clash at the Stadium of Light in front of 40,000 plus fans on Sunday following pre-season.

Sunderland lost their last 5-2 game against Hartlepool on Tuesday night – albeit with a second-string side deployed by Tony Mowbray.

Here, though we take a look at the main Sunderland and Championship headlines that you may have missed:

Ipswich Town look likely to be without goalkeeper Christian Walton for the clash against Sunderland on Sunday. Former Sunderland man Nathan Broadhead (quad) and Massimo Luongo (adductor) will also be assessed ahead of the game.

Nathan Bishop has been pictured signing for Sunderland ahead of his move from Manchester United with the transfer deal now set to be announced.

Former Sunderland, Stoke City, Fulham and Bordeaux striker Josh Maja has joined Championship rivals West Brom after becoming a free agent this summer.

Major League Soccer’s chief marketing officer David Bruce is said to be leaving his post at the end of this week to join Sunderland.

Tony Mowbray confirmed that Isaac Lihadji was withdrawn from Sunderland’s starting XI at Hartlepool United due to transfer interest in the winger. Lihadji has been linked with a move to Qatari side Al-Duhail FC over the summer and talks are continuing ahead of the beginning of the Championship campaign.

Mowbray also confirmed Sunderland defender Jenson Seelt will miss the start of the season through an injury picked up in pre-season.

JUST IN : Sunderland still officially announces the Signing of talented for 24-year-old defender from…

Sunderland enter negotiations with PSG for 24-year-old defender

Sunderland have entered negotiations with PSG for defender Colin Dagba, as per Foot Mercato.

Dagba, 24, spent last season on loan at Ligue 1 side Strasbourg. He played 21 times in the league and returned to PSG earlier this summer.

Since his arrival in Paris as a youngster he has had spells as part of their senior side. He’s made 77 appearances for the French champions across all competitions since his arrival contributing to seven goals from defence.

The right back has experience in some huge games and this summer he may be on the move once again.

Tony Mowbray’s Sunderland have been credited with interest and it’s reported that negotiations are ongoing for a permanent transfer this summer.

An exciting capture

The Black Cats have once again had a solid window so far. The arrivals of Luis Hemir, Jobe Bellingham and more have strengthened the Sunderland squad compared to last season.

Mowbray will be looking to build on last season’s successes and whilst he will likely need more bodies in the door before the deadline, as things stand his side is in a good position.

Dagba adds experience to the side despite only being relatively young. His time on the big stage will help him settle in at Sunderland and he will be able to offer the youngster in the dressing room some important insight.

Full back is still a position Sunderland could do with more depth in. Dagba would offer some depth and competition for the likes of Trai Hume, Dennis Cirkin and Niall Huggins.

This one is certainly a deal to keep an eye on and it would be a huge statement of intent should Sunderland manage to get it over the line.

Sunderland begin their campaign against Ipswich Town at home this Sunday.

THEATRE OPERATOR RELOCATES TO RIVERSIDE SUNDERLAND

.An international theatre operator has expanded its North East presence after taking space in the heart of Riverside Sunderland.

Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) and its 57-strong team have moved into a 2,400 sq ft office at The Yard.

The company has three national bases in the UK and previously worked out of Sunderland’s Empire Theatre.

The move will bring together its contact centre and group bookings teams under one roof, and has created three jobs.

Cate Gordon, business manager for ATG Tickets, said: “We had been searching for a new space for quite some time however we knew we’d found the perfect place as soon as we were shown around The Yard.

“We had outgrown our space within the theatre, and we wanted to remain within close proximity to it so that our staff didn’t feel separated from the rest of the company, and you can’t get much closer than the street almost immediately behind it.

“Another key motivator was being able to improve the wellbeing of our team, which is something we are really focusing on as a business and it ticked all the boxes on that front too.”

The Yard opened its doors earlier this year following Hanro Group’s 3.5m redevelopment of the former Gilbridge Police Station.

The redevelopment forms part of Riverside Sunderland, which is expected to create 10,000 jobs and has already secured relocations from Ocado, Asset 55 and North East Screen, with RSA to follow in 2024.

ATG was introduced to and shown around The Yard by the Business Investment Team at Sunderland City Council.

Cllr Kevin Johnston, portfolio holder for dynamic city at Sunderland City Council, said: “The decision by ATG to continue investing in Sunderland city centre with the opening of a new, dedicated contact centre is fantastic news for the city.

“As a business which operates 38 venues across the UK, it could have chosen absolutely anywhere to open its contact centre, so the fact that it has chosen to continue investing in Sunderland is testament to the city’s unrivalled offering and we are delighted that they are continuing to invest here.”