Kaboul role in sealing Sinclair’s Cats loan

Jerome Sinclair says he was left in no doubt about signing for Sunderland after a glowing reference from Younes Kaboul.

The 21-year-old ex-Liverpool youngster has joined the Black Cats on a season-long loan from Watford and says he can’t wait to get started at a ‘massive club’ after speaking to Hornets clubmate Kaboul, who was with Sunderland in the 2015-16 season.

Sinclair said: “I’m really excited, enthusias- tic. I can’t wait to get started.

“It’s a massive club, a Premier League club. I’m excited to be here. Younes told me that it’s a really good place. Obviously it’s a huge club. He said it’s a people club and that the people really look after the players.

“I didn’t need much persuading to begin with, but he definitely did (convince me).

“When you’re thinking about a move, it’s always good to speak to someone who knows the place and when they only have positive things to say that can be a good thing.”

Sinclair arrives at a critical stage of his career, having struggled to pin down a regular spot at Vicarage Road since joining from Liverpool for £4million.

The forward says he hopes to bring pace and positivity to the team and is looking forward to getting started in tomorrow night’s friendly at Middlesbrought.

He said: “Hopefully I’ll bring pace, being direct and getting in behind, and try and put this place back where it belongs. I need to get games under my belt and show people what I can do.

“Pre-season is the toughest part of playing football, but I’ve got myself in decent nick over the summer, so it’s been good. Middlesbrough is a big local rivalry, so it’ll be good to be part of that.”

Manager Jack Ross said he was ‘really pleased’ to add depth to his attacking options.

He said: “We need more players in the forward areas and Jerome is somebody who fits into that bracket, as he can play in multiple positions across the front line.

“I’m pleased to get him in. He’s at a stage in his career where he needs to play games, so he’s hungry to prove himself and he’s got a big opportunity here to do that.”