Sunderland add free agent McFadzean to their ranks

SUNDERLAND have signed free agent Callum McFadzean to add an extra defensive option to Phil Parkinson’s squad.

The 26-year-old former Scotland U21 international started his career at Sheffield United and most recently played for Plymouth Argyle, but left Home Park this summer after turning down a new deal with the Pilgrims following their promotion to League One.

McFadzean - younger brother of Coventry City centre-back Kyle - is a leftsider who can play either as a wing-back or a full-back, and has been brought in as competition and cover for Denver Hume. Parkinson added: “I would like to welcome Callum to the club. This is a position we’ve been looking to strengthen for a while, and he will bring further competition to the squad.”

McFadzean’s career has also included time at Kilmarnock and Bury, as well as non-league sides Alfreton and Guiseley, along with loan spells at Chesterfield, Burton Albion and Stevenage. Sunderland had been searching for cover at wingback all summer with that position identified early on as an area where the squad needed more depth.

Lynden Gooch can play in that role - and did so at Swindon Town on Saturday when Hume’s was absent through injury - but Parkinson was keen to bring in a specialist.

The Black Cats brought in centreback Dion Sanderson on loan from Wolves on deadline day last week, but manager Parkinson said that he would continue to look at free agents who could sign outside the window.