Turner swaps Tigers for Black Cats

Sep 1 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

SUNDERLAND will today continue their last-ditch attempt to make defensive reinforcements despite clinching a deal for Hull City's highly-rated Michael Turner.

The Hull City centre-back signed a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light after Sunderland agreed a fee thought to be in the region of £6m – half that quoted in some quarters yesterday.

Although the Black Cats are happy with the business they have conducted so far, there is still a chance that they will capture Wigan left-back Maynor Figueroa before today’s 5pm transfer deadline as Bruce eyes a complete revamp of his back four.

The 26-year-old left-back is keen on a move to Sunderland but Wigan, typically, are driving a hard bargain when it comes to their £5m-rated Honduras defender and the deal was said to be “in the balance” by club sources last night. Whatever today holds, Bruce is clearly delighted to land another imposing centre-half.

“I believe that Michael is one of the country’s premier central defenders,” the Sunderland boss said.

“I’ve been looking to add size

and strength to the back line and Michael fits the bill perfectly in that respect as well as being an excellent technical footballer.

“His aerial ability provides us with another dimension at set-pieces at either end of the field and I am delighted that he has chosen to buy into what we are trying to achieve here at Sunderland.”

Former Charlton and Brentford player Turner, 25, said that working under Bruce was a major attraction of the move.

“A lot of things attracted me to Sunderland – the facilities, the stadium, the training ground, the fan base,” he said.

“But a big factor was the manager. Steve Bruce is a proven manager who played in my position as a player, and hopefully he can add to my game.”