Deal for Roberts is ‘amazing coup’

Patrick is a player we have always kept our eyes on over the years because he really is a top talent.

Lee Johnson

LEE Johnson has described the signing of Patrick Roberts as an ‘amazing coup’ after the winger joined Sunderland from Manchester City – but warned he will need time to settle in on Wearside.

Roberts has joined the Black Cats on an initial six-month deal, with an option to extend his stay in the summer, after his loan spell in France with City’s sister club Troyes was cut short.

It has been reported the upfront fee is thought to be nominal, but the deal could ultimately be worth up to £3m in clauses and add-ons depending on how he fares at the Stadiumof Lght.

Sunderland have been linked with the 24-year-old since the beginning of the month but the deal has been held up while City negotiated the early termination of his season-long loan at Troyes and then while the Black Cats tried to agree a deal with the Premier League champions.

In the meantime, Roberts’ availability sparked interest from clubs including Celtic and Wigan Athletic which threatened his move to Wearside.

However, Sunderland now have their man and Roberts has been on Wearside since the beginning of the week while the deal was tied up

He will be available to play in this afternoon’s game against Portsmouth at the Stadium of Light.

Johnson said: “It is an amazing coup but we cannot expect too much of Patrick too soon.

“I don’t know how long it will be – it might be three or four weeks before we see the top version of him.

“He has trained but he has not played for a long time. He has been at Troyes training day-in, day-out but I think his last game was December 19 – a bounce game for eight minutes.

“Since then he has been at home, he has had Covid which set us back seven to ten days, but we have stayed strong because there has been a lot of opportunity for us to be gazumped with money thrown at him.

“However, he is another one who wanted to join the project and that is pretty exciting.

“Patrick is a player we have always kept our eyes on over the years because he is a top talent.

“This is an amazing opportunity – for him and the club – to give him the love he requires at a standard he can excel at and then come with us to the next level.

“He thrives on the big occasion and the beauty of Sunderland is there is a big occasion every three days.”