Sunderland swoop for Johnson and Fletcher
Reuters - Friday 24 August 2012, 13:47
Manchester City's England winger Adam
Johnson and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Scotland striker Steven
Fletcher have joined Sunderland on four-year deals, the Premier
League club announced on Friday.
Johnson, 25, had been a bit-part player for the champions
last term and was mainly restricted to substitute appearances,
meaning he missed out on England's Euro 2012 squad.
However, he started in this month's 2-1 friendly win over
Italy to pick up his 11th cap.
"Adding quality players to the squad has been our main aim
this summer and Adam certainly fits that bill," Sunderland's
ambitious manager Martin O'Neill said on the club's website.
"He has terrific ability, great delivery and I'm sure he is
a player who will excite our fans. I couldn't be more delighted
to have him at the football club."
Tricky wide-man Johnson, who started his career at neighbours
Middlesbrough before signing for City two years ago, has joined
for an undisclosed fee.
The 25-year-old Fletcher, who handed in a transfer request
at Wolves this month after they were relegated from the Premier
League last season, has also moved for an undisclosed fee.
"It has been no secret that we needed to strengthen our
attacking options and Steven has a proven track record of
scoring goals," O'Neill said.
"He is young and constantly improving and he will be a very
welcome addition to the squad. I'm delighted that we've been
able to bring him to Sunderland."
Fletcher scored 12 goals in each of the past two seasons for
Wolves.
He was the second player to leave Molineux on Friday, with
winger Matt Jarvis also returning to the top flight with West
Ham United.
Sunderland's investment follows a strong 13th place finish
in the Premier League last term after former Aston Villa and
Celtic boss O'Neill was appointed last December.