Sunderland

Sunderland seal Nosworthy signing
Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy has completed the signing 24-year-old Nyron Nosworthy on a two-year deal. The defender signed on a free transfer from Gillingham and will challenge Stephen Wright for a place next season. "It feels very nice to be here and means a lot. I am quite calm at the moment - it has not sunk in yet that I am a Premier League player," he said. "When I'm introduced to the rest of the lads next month, it will be different, but I am looking forward to it." McCarthy said he was delighted to sign Nosworthy. "He joins the club as an experienced defender despite his relatively young age," said McCarthy. "I am sure he will provide Stephen Wright with strong competition for the right-back berth next season." Nosworthy is the second summer signing for McCarthy, who bought Waterford striker Daryl Murphy for £100,000 last week. Brixton-born Nosworthy joined the Gills as a schoolboy and played 199 games for the club, including 37 in the league last season.

Defensive challenge for Nosworthy
Sunderland's new signing Nyron Nosworthy is determined to battle with Stephen Wright for the right-back berth - and not just make up the numbers. "The pressure of playing in the Premiership will be good for me as a person," he told Sunderland's website. "The gaffer has watched me and obviously believes I can perform at that level - so that is why I am here, to pursue the right-back spot." McCarthy added: "I'm sure he'll provide Stephen with strong competition." Nosworthy, 24, joined the Black Cats on a two-year deal from Gillingham on Friday.

Earlier is better for Sunderland
Thousands of Sunderland football fans have voted in favour of an earlier kick-off for midweek games as the team returns to the Premiership next season. The club offered supporters the chance to have their say in a poll on what time evening games should start. More than 10,000 fans took part, with 54% voting for 1945 BST as opposed to the 2000 BST start last season. Sunderland will be joining the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal after clinching the Championship title this season. In previous years, some fans - particularly those who travel some distance to games - said they had difficulty arriving in time for a 1945 BST kick off, so the time was changed to 2000 BST. Close vote But recently, the club has received requests from fans for the kick-off time to be returned to 1945 BST. The club opened the debate up to a poll and, while the issue was debated by hundreds of supporters in the fans forum, more than 10,000 cast their vote. Marketing and communications director Lesley Callaghan said: "We feel the club has received more than a representative number of votes in order to get a fair and balanced opinion. "We have given our supporters the chance to have their say and whilst the poll was very close it has shown that more fans would prefer the earlier kick-off time."

Sunderland snap up striker Stead
Premiership new boys Sunderland have signed England Under-21 striker Jon Stead from Blackburn for £1.8m. The 22-year-old has signed a four-year deal after 16 months at Ewood Park. "I'm finally putting on the red and white after wearing blue and white, so I'm delighted and looking forward to it," Stead told Sunderland's website. "I had a choice between Sunderland and Charlton, I spoke to both and had a look around. It was just the feeling I got when I came here." Stead scored eight goals in 32 league starts for Blackburn after starting his career at Huddersfield. "This is a massive club, a Premiership club and I have every confidence we will be a Premiership club for many seasons to come," he added. "I wouldn't have come here if I didn't think 100% we can do it." Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy said he was delighted to sign Stead after missing out on him when he left Huddersfield in February 2004. "He has scored goals in the Premier League, so he's a great signing for us," he said. "Jonathan is the kind of lad that will fit into our squad and team ethic straight away."

Davis completes Sunderland move
Sunderland have secured the signing of Ipswich keeper Kelvin Davis for £1.25m. The 28-year-old arrived at the club on Tuesday and has agreed a four-year deal with the Wearsiders. Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy was delighted with his fourth signing of the summer and said: "This represents a tremendous signing for Sunderland. "Kelvin has played in the Premier League before with Wimbledon and he has played something near 40 games a season for the last four years." Town accepted a seven-figure offer from the Black Cats for former England Under-21 international Davis earlier this month. McCarthy added: "He was voted the best goalkeeper in the Championship last season and at 28 he is also in his prime age for a goalkeeper. "He has terrific ability and is experienced, so we're delighted to have Kelvin in our squad for the Premiership." Davis started his career with Luton, making over 100 appearance for the Hatters, before signing for Wimbledon for £600,000 in 1999. After four years he moved to Ipswich on a free transfer and has spent two years with the Tractor Boys. Davis added: "The personal terms took a little bit longer to sort out, but once I was happy with everything I had no hesitation in signing. "Sunderland are a huge club with great support and I am now really looking forward to next season and the challenge of keeping the team in the top flight." Milton Keynes Dons, formerly known as Wimbledon, will receive a sell-on fee as part of Davis' move to Portman Road in 2003. Davis joins Jonathan Stead, Nyron Nosworthy and Daryl Murphy as new signings for promoted Sunderland.

Miller agrees to join Sunderland
Sunderland have agreed terms with Ipswich midfielder Tommy Miller. Miller, 26, is away on his honeymoon, but his agent has continued negotiations in his absence. "Subject to him passing his medical next Wednesday, he is signing for Sunderland," said his father and agent Tommy Miller snr. Miller rejected the chance to re-sign with Ipswich, while Leeds, Crystal Palace, Celtic and Wigan were all linked with the out-of-contract player. However, the chance to play top flight football for the club the Easington-born player supported as a boy proved too much of a pull. "He had plenty of options, but if he was going to stay in the Championship, he would have stayed with Ipswich," added Miller snr. "I think it is the only club he would have left Ipswich for because he has had a great time down there and played under two very good managers." Miller joined Town from Hartlepool in an £800,000 move in the summer of 2001. He will become manager Mick McCarthy's fifth summer signing following the arrivals of Daryl Murphy, Nyron Nosworthy, Jon Stead and Kelvin Davis.

Wolves hold out for Miller offer
Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey is holding out for an improved offer from Sunderland for striker Kenny Miller. The Black Cats have already had two offers in the region of £1m for the 25-year-old - but Wolves want £2m. Moxey told the Express and Star newspaper: "Our situation with Kenny is unchanged. We want him to stay. "His 20 goals for us next season, and what they could mean to us in terms of promotion, are more valuable than the money Sunderland are offering."

Agent says Thornton is wanted man
Sunderland misfit Sean Thornton is wanted by Leeds and Crystal Palace according to his agent. Thornton, 22, has been told he has no future at Sunderland and his agent claims he is also attracting interest from Spanish side Malaga. His agent Lee Payne told Skysports.com: "There's interest from Leeds and Palace but nothing concrete as yet. "They're interested in Sean and would have to agree something with Sunderland first, but Malaga are a definite."

Miller secures Sunderland switch
Sunderland have completed the signing of Ipswich midfielder Tommy Miller on a two-year contract. Miller, 26, rejected the chance to stay at Portman Road, while Leeds, Crystal Palace, Celtic and Wigan were all linked with the out-of-contract player. Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy told the club's website: "Tommy was one of the top players in the Championship last year, scoring 15 goals. "He's been chased by a number of clubs but we've got him and we're delighted." McCarthy added: "He's a local lad and the prospect of playing for his home-town club has clearly been the decider for him." His father and agent Tommy Miller snr said: "He had plenty of options, but if he was going to stay in the Championship, he would have stayed with Ipswich. "I think it is the only club he would have left Ipswich for because he has had a great time down there and played under two very good managers." Miller joined Town from Hartlepool in an £800,000 move in the summer of 2001. He will become manager Mick McCarthy's fifth summer signing following the arrivals of Daryl Murphy, Nyron Nosworthy, Jon Stead and Kelvin Davis.

Myhre to leave Stadium of Light
Norwegian keeper Thomas Myhre has confirmed he will be leaving Sunderland after being unable to agree a new deal. The 31-year-old's contract expired at the end of the season and the club have brought in £1.25m Kelvin Davis. "We couldn't agree new terms, but I'm leaving Sunderland with many happy memories. I have had some great times there," he told the Sunderland Echo. "Sunderland have got a great manager and are a great club. I send all my wishes to them." The club offered Myhre a new deal on reduced wages but the former Everton stopper has decided to look elsewhere. Myhre played a major part in Sunderland winning the Championship last season after taking over when number one when Mart Poom got injured in October. He moved to Wearside on a free transfer from Everton in July 2002 to provide the back-up to Thomas Sorensen. The former Everton keeper had a successful loan spell at Crystal Palace and he was close to leaving the club permanently only for his proposed move to Selhurst Park to fall through.

Whitley completes Cardiff switch
Jeff Whitley has become Cardiff's first signing under new manager Dave Jones. The 30-year-old midfielder, who helped Sunderland win the Championship title last season, signed on a free transfer. "It's a big opportunity and a new challenge for me, this club wants to make the Premiership," Whitley told Cardiff's official website. "Dave and his team have come here to take Cardiff forward and I want to be a part of that. It only took a short meeting with Dave to convince me." Whitley scored for Northern Ireland in September's 2-2 draw with Wales.

Breen injury boost for Sunderland
Sunderland have been given a boost with the news that experienced defender Gary Breen has overcome his knee injury. The 31-year-old missed the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifiers earlier in June after hobbling out of the Black Cats' final league game of the season. "We are expecting to see him for pre-season training on Tuesday. His injury did not require surgery," a club spokesman told the club's website. Breen has made 78 appearances for Sunderland since joining in 2003. Mick McCarthy's side's Premiership campaign begins at home against Charlton on 13 August.

Fuller fails Sunderland medical
Sunderland have pulled out of a move for Portsmouth striker Ricardo Fuller after he failed a medical. The 25-year-old's move on a pay-as-you- play-deal has been wrecked by a persistent knee injury. Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie said: "Everyone knows he has got a knee problem and Sunderland knew in advance. "It is surprising that this has happened after Sunderland knew the facts anyway. It is frustrating, especially for Ricardo." Storrie added: "We had structured a pay-as-you-play deal that was the same kind of deal as he had here. "His knee might need an operation at some stage, but it could be next week or it could be in the next five years. Everyone knew that was the case. "It is frustrating, especially for Ricardo. I am sure someone will take him because he has proved with us that his knee is okay because he appeared in more games for us last season than almost anyone."

Sunderland sign Leeds youngster
Leeds midfielder Martin Woods has joined Sunderland on a free transfer. Woods, who made one appearance for Leeds last season in a Championship match at the Stadium of Light, said: "Sunderland is a massive club "I'm delighted to move here and the set-up is fantastic, it's an exciting move for me. My aim right now is to force my way into first-team set-up." The 19-year-old Scottish-born player becomes Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy's sixth signing of the summer. Jon Stead, Kelvin Davis, Daryl Murphy, Nyron Nosworthy and Tommy Miller have already joined since Sunderland clinched promotion to the promotion. Woods was offered a new deal by Leeds but told Sunderland's website: "When I learned of Sunderland's interest I was delighted. "I trained with the lads today and I'm excited about the future."

Poom set to miss Sunderland tour
Sunderland goalkeeper Mart Poom looks set to miss the club's pre-season tour of North America as he continues to battle against a knee injury. The 33-year-old Estonian underwent surgery on the problem in March. He was then forced to pull out of his country's World Cup qualifier last month after picking up an infection. Poom missed training on Tuesday and is unlikely to be in the party for Canada and the US on Tuesday, but is hopeful of making the start of the season. The keeper faces a fight with new signing Kelvin Davis for the number one jersey next season. Poom has not played a competitive game since last October because of his injury, and Thomas Myhre established himself as first-choice in his absence. However, the Norwegian has now left the Stadium of Light but £1.25m signing Davis has arrived from Ipswich.

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