Scharner quells Black Cats leap

Defender will not be joining Bruce at Sunderland

Last updated: 9th June 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Scharner quells Black Cats leap

Scharner: Not switching to Sunderland

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Want-away Wigan defender Paul Scharner has ruled out joining former boss Steve Bruce at Sunderland.

The £6million-rated player has two years left on his contract at the JJB Stadium but wants to leave to take the "next step" in his career.

The Austrian has previously claimed that Tottenham, Everton and Fulham are among the clubs interested in his signature.

But he confirmed that he will definitely not be going to the Stadium of Light.

The 29-year-old told the Daily Star: "I have decided that I want to change clubs.

"A lot can happen between now and the transfer deadline at the end of August.

"My fee is £6million, and there has been interest from four clubs in England and Germany.

"It is a selection process for me, and I am not ruling Germany out.

Big surprise

"It was a big surprise when Steve Bruce left Wigan for Sunderland, he had long sworn that he would be staying put.

"But I can't see myself joining Sunderland. In footballing terms, they are certainly not an improvement on Wigan.

"Besides, I did not get on too well with Bruce's style of play."