Wickham completes big-money move to Black Cats

29 June 2011 14:17
SUNDERLAND this afternoon completed the signing of Ipswich Town striker Connor Wickham.[LNB] The highly-rated 18-year-old has penned a four-year deal on Wearside, and arrives for an initial fee of £8.1m, a sum that could rise as high as £12m if a number of performance-related targets are met.[LNB] Wickham became Ipswich's youngest ever player on his debut aged just 16 years and 11 days, going on to make a further 36 appearances for the Tractor Boys.[LNB] The 6ft 3ins forward has represented England at Under-16, Under-18, and Under-21 level, and was part of Stuart Pearce's squad at this summer's European Under-21 Championships.[LNB] After scoring nine goals for Ipswich Town last season, Wickham was named the Football League Young Player of the Year for 2010-2011.[LNB] Manager Steve Bruce said: "A number of top sides have been chasing Connor for some time now, so naturally we are absolutely delighted he has chosen to come to Sunderland.[LNB] "He's still very young but at 6ft 3ins he's a physical presence. With his height and style of play he'll offer us a threat in front of goal and complement our existing strikers.[LNB] "We have been watching him for a while now and he is improving and developing all the time. He's a great prospect and I'm sure our supporters will love watching him play."[LNB]

Source: Northern_Echo