Fletcher completes Sunderland move

24 August 2012 16:45
Striker Steven Fletcher has finally completed the move that's been expected all summer, and has left Wolves after two years at Molineux to return to the Premier League with Sunderland.

It's three years since Fletcher arrived at Burnley from Hibs as our big summer signing ahead of our season in the Premier League. He scored twelve goals for us that season (eight in the Premier League) but once relegated he was very quickly sold to Wolves in a deal believed to have been around £7 million, representing a profit of approximately £4 million.

In two seasons at Wolves he's played in a side fighting against relegation, winning the fight in the first season but ending last season in bottom place after a shocking end to the season following the sacking of manager Mick McCarthy.

Almost immediately there was speculation that he'd move on and Sunderland were always the club most often linked with him. Over the past few weeks there has been some to-ing and fro-ing with Wolves turning down offers; that was until Wednesday of this week when they finally did accept Sunderland's offer.

Although official undisclosed it is believe to be around £12 million with the potential for a further £2 million in add ons. That represents a profit of around £5 million for Wolves initially, and with Burnley having a 15% sell on clause it should net us about £750,000.

Fletcher said on completing his move: "I'm delighted and relieved to be here. It's obviously one of the main things for me, playing Premier League football, especially at a big club like Sunderland.

"This definitely feels like the next step. I'm going to try and bring goals if I can and we'll hopefully win a few games."

Source: FOOTYMAD