Black Cats are linked with Wigan Athletic winger Solomon-Otabor
Sunderland have been linked with a move for Wigan Athletic winger Viv Solomon-Otabor.
Indeed, Sunderland’s transfer team – including Stuart Harvey and Kristjaan Speakman – are looking to identify reinforcements ahead of a busy summer at the Stadium of Light.
Here is all you need to know about Solomon-Otabor:
25;
Club: Wigan Athletic; Born: London;
National team: Nigeria; Position: Winger/attacker;
What’s the story surrounding Solomon-Otabor? Sunderland are among a host of clubs credited with an interest in the winger. Charlton Athletic, Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth have also been linked with the wideman, who is set to be out of contract this summer – the 25-year-old’s deal with Wigan expires at the end of this month, which means he will be available on a free transfer this summer;
Does he have much League One experience? The attacker started his career at Birmingham City and broke through into the Blues’ first team in the Championship, making 33 secondtier appearances during his time in the Midlands. He also bagged Birmingham City’s young player of the season award during the 2015/16 campaign. However, Solomon-Otabor found himself out on loan more often than not, enjoying stints with Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool and Portsmouth in League One, meaning he has plenty of third-tier experience.
The attacker then enjoyed a spell at CSKA Sofia in the Bulgarian top flight, before joining Wigan in League One last season. He made 28 appearances in the league as Wigan avoided the drop;
What happened in Bulgaria? The player penned a three-year deal with CSKA Sofia at the beginning of the 2019/20 season. He made 22 appearances in all competitions, scored once in 19 league matches and represented the club in the Europa League.
However, when Bulgarian football was suspended in mid-March because of the Covid-19 pandemic, SolomonOtabor's contract was cancelled for financial reasons.
Following the controversial international match between England and Bulgaria in October 2019, SolomonOtabor became a target for racial abuse from supporters of opposing clubs and of his own.