Paulo Da Silva in but Cats after more

Jul 14 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

STEVE Bruce has predicted “two or three” further new faces will follow new signing Paulo Da Silva into the Stadium of Light before the start of the start.

Bruce hailed the “leadership qualities” that new boy Da Silva will bring to Sunderland after making the Paraguay captain his second signing as Black Cats boss.

And he confirmed that their would be more new arrivals to follow the former Perugia and Venezia defender. “We’re busy working away behind the scenes making sure we’re ready to get in who we want to get in,” Bruce said after Da Silva penned a three-year deal. The experienced 29-year-old, capped 61 times for his country, snubbed interest from Spurs.

And Bruce is delighted to land a player who has extensive experience both in Italy’s Serie A and the top level of club football in South America. Da Silva was with Mexican side Toluca before leaving in the summer to return to European football.

Bruce, who is understood to have scouted Da Silva while at Wigan, said he was ‘delighted’. “He is captain of his country and has played at the highest level in South America so will bring leadership qualities to our side,” the Sunderland boss said.

The signing follows the capture of

England Under-21 striker Fraizer Campbell on Saturday and would appear to confirm that Sunderland are growing less confident of landing Richard Dunne.

Although the Manchester City star is understood to favour a move to Wearside, efforts by Mark Hughes to sign a big name replacement in John Terry or Joleon Lescott have not run smoothly and Dunne’s future is clouded in mystery.

The signing of Da Silva heralds the start of what promises to be a busy week at the Stadium of Light, with Bruce confident he will land more signings before the club jet off for the Amsterdam Tournament.