Source: Daily_Mail
Cattermole seals £6m switch from Wigan to rejoin Bruce at Sunderland
Sunderland have completed the £6million signing of Lee Cattermole after Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez conceded defeat in his battle to hold on to the England Under 21 star.[LNB]The former Middlesbrough midfielder passed a medical today after his old Wigan boss Steve Bruce upped Sunderland's bid to the point where Martinez felt he could no longer refuse.[LNB]Cattermole had also sparked interest from Liverpool after a season at Wigan under Bruce and his impressive showing at the European Under 21 Championship in Sweden this summer.[LNB] Sunderland bound: Lee Cattermole in action for England Under 21's against the Netherlands on Tuesday night[LNB]He told the Lancashire club he wanted to return to the North East just a year after joining from Boro in a £3.5m deal.[LNB]Wigan owner Dave Whelan and Bruce's successor Roberto Martinez were hoping to persuade Cattermole to stay and rejected an initial £5m bid.[LNB]Martinez said: "The fee is a good one. It is far more than the clubpaid for him last year and the third highest in Wigan Athletic history.[LNB]Signing of things to come: Darren Bent joined Sunderland from Spurs[LNB]"The initial offer from Sunderland was unacceptable as we said at the time, but they have now matched our valuation.[LNB]"The speculation about Lee has refused to go away over the last few weeks and this has been very unsettling for him and for our players.[LNB]"It became clear over the past days having spoken to Lee that he wanted to leave and it is very disruptive to the group when a player is clearly unhappy.[LNB]"My No 1priority has to be the good of the club and it left me with a decision to make, I therefore agreed to the move for the good of the players we have at the club and who want to remain with us and help us progress to the next level."[LNB]Sunderland boss Bruce has now spent around £25m after also adding Darren Bent, Fraizer Campbell, Paulo da Silva and Lorik Cana. [LNB]He now wants an experienced Premier League central defender, with Sylvain Distin and Richard Dunne still at the top of his list.[LNB]Bruce said: "Lee has everything that I like in a player so I'm delighted to have brought him to Sunderland. [LNB]"He is a terrific footballer. He is young, strong and has a real passion for the game that I'm sure our supporters will love.[LNB]"As a North East lad, he understands what it means to represent a club in this region and will bring some real bite to our side.[LNB]"Lee is a great addition and will strengthen us through the spine of the team while creating real competition across midfield."[LNB] Wigan warn Sunderland boss Steve Bruce to lay off CattermoleOn-loan Sinclair hopes Wigan deal will boost his England and Chelsea futuresWIGAN ATHLETIC FC
