Sunderland have completed the deadline day deal of defender Dion Sanderson. The 20-year-old central defender has signed on loan until the end of the season from Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers. The deal was announced via the official Sunderland website.
Sunderland Sign Defender Dion Sanderson
🐺 𝙒𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙒𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚, @SandowRs!
The versatile defender has moved to @StadiumOfLight on loan until the end of the 2020-21 campaign… 📝👇
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) October 16, 2020
Defender Dion Sanderson and Manager Phil Parkinson Delighted Deal is Complete
Shortly after signing for the Black Cats, Dion Sanderson spoke to Sunderland’s website about his move to the Stadium of Light.
“It’s a massive club and I hope I can contribute to a successful campaign. I enjoyed my first-team experience with Cardiff City last season, and I believe this is the best opportunity for me to build on that. I can play right-back or centre-back – I just love defending and I love tackling. Can’t wait to get started.”
Manager Phil Parkinson added: “I’m pleased to welcome Dion to the club. He’s a young and athletic player who will add further competition to the squad.”
Previous Experience
Having risen through the Wolves academy, Sanderson, who is primarily a central defender but can play at full-back, made his debut for the club in the Carabao Cup against Aston Villa in 2019. He also experienced game time in the EFL Trophy for the Wolves under-23 side before heading out on loan. Sanderson joined Cardiff City at the beginning of the year, making 10 appearances.
Strengthening Defence a Priority
Sunderland have already brought in two defenders this summer in Morgan Feeney and Arbenit Xhemajli. However, both have suffered injuries. Feeney is out for another 2 months while Xhemajli has saw his season come to an end before it really began.
Due to Parkinson playing with three central defenders this season, back-up was thin on the ground. Mainly due to the disappointing injuries to the two summer recruits. Signing Dion Sanderson will now take the pressure off Phil Parkinson as he looks to continue Sunderland’s solid start to the season.
Sanderson will meet his new team-mates on Monday due to not being eligible for Saturday’s game at Swindon Town.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
