Will Liam Bridcutt be a hit at Sunderland? Read our assessment and offer your own verdict here.
Liam Bridcutt
To: SunderlandFrom: Brighton
Fee: £3.5million Age: 24
Position: Midfielder
Nationality: Scottish
Bio
The former Chelsea trainee moved to Brighton in 2010 and soon emerged as a favourite for the Seagulls. After helping the club to the League One title in his first season, he continued his development under Gus Poyet and earned his first Scotland cap in March. With Poyet now in charge at Sunderland, the Uruguayan soon targeted his old midfielder and Bridcutt has now sealed a three-and-a-half year deal.He says
"He's (Poyet) had a massive effect on my career and my game. Since day one when I came here (to Brighton), he's always encouraged me and is always telling me things and I'm always learning."They say
"If I was coach of Real I would take him because he deserves to go to the highest level. As a holding midfielder, there is no better player in the division (the Championship). So he is quite expensive. The best thing about Liam is that he understands me to an incredible level. The way he understands what I want from him is spectacular." - Gus Poyet, Sunderland manager, speaking in 2012.Watched Liam Bridcutt a few times when covering our teams down at Brighton - always impressed me, very classy player.
- Richard Mason (@MasonEcho) January 30, 2014