Bruce wanted Johnson

Bruce: Wanted Johnson

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Steve Bruce has admitted he was disappointed to lose out on signing Adam Johnson.

Sunderland were keen to land the former Middlesbrough winger and were close to sealing a deal.

However, Manchester City won the day with their late move for the 22-year-old winger and Bruce concedes he would have liked to have snapped up Johnson.

"I'm happy with the business we've done, but, yes, I'd have loved to have brought Adam in as well," said Bruce.

"We had him watched two, three, four times and more and he was a player we really liked the look of.

"He was a local lad as well and I'm sure our fans would have taken him to their hearts but it wasn't to be.

"The lad made a decision that he had every right to and we move on."

Happy

Johnson was not the only target Bruce missed out in January but he insists he was happy with what he got as he signed Matt Kilgallon, Alan Hutton and Benjani.

"I'm delighted to get Matt and Alan and Benjani," he said.

"I think they will be three very good signings for us.

"They've all come here with a really good attitude, they really want to play and make a contribution.

"And, in my opinion, we've got three very good Premiership players who are going to strengthen us for the run-in.

"I said at the start of the window that it wasn't easy to do business in this month. I said at the start of the window that we'd probably only make two or three signings.

"And that's exactly how it's turned out.

"But, overall, I've got to be happy that I have managed to bring in some good players to address some of the problems that were concerning us.

"Alan and Matt are going to really help us in defence, while we needed someone like Benjani with all his attributes and Premier League experience up front."