Mo ready for second tier test after Bristol move

Former Sunderland target Mo Eisa says playing in the Championship is the right step to take in his career.

Eisa has put pen to paper on a three-year-deal with Bristol City and links up with Lee Johnson, son of his former boss at Cheltenham Town, Gary.

Sunderland identified Eisa as one of their top targets this summer after the youngster scored 23 goals in League Two last season.

The Black Cats were willing to commit a seven-figure sum to land the 24-year-old but he has instead opted to jump two divisions and test himself in the second tier.

Eisa said: “I am excited to play- i n g in the Championship – I think it’s the next step.

“I believe I can handle it, there’s a lot of hard work ahead but I believe in myself and the gaffer obviously does because he’s brought me here. I am thrilled with the move.

“I am very excited. I can’t wait to get started. It’s a massive club with a large fanbase and I want to do as well as I can for the team.

“I will get my head down, work hard and see where we can finish. I want us to get promoted, although I won’t get carried away.

“I had a good season for Cheltenham last year, the best of my career. I have to thank the club because without them I wouldn’t be here.”

Bristol City chief executive Mark Ashton said Eisa was a ‘proven finisher’.

He said: “We are thrilled to have signed Mo. He was in superb form in the last campaign and we hope he can make another step up in the football ladder.

“He is tall, athletic, a proven finisher and we believe he can become even better with the help of our coaching infrastructure.”

Sunderland had a £1million bid for the striker rejected last week.

Portsmouth and Peterborough United were also in for the striker but he has opted to move up two divisions to Championship.

Meanwhile, Sunderland’s search for additional firepower up front goes on, with the club still interested in Bradford City’s Charlie Wyke and Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp.