Sunderland break their transfer record to sign Didier Ndong
Thursday 1 September 2016 10:08, UK
Sunderland have broken their transfer record by signing Lorient midfielder Didier Ndong for a fee £13.6m on a five-year contract.
However, they missed out on Norwich duo John Ruddy and Steven Naismith, while a deal to bring Yann M'Vila, who spent last season on loan at the club, back to the Stadium of Light also fell through.
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Gabon international Ndong, 22, has completed his medical in the north-east and his transfer beats the previous record of £13m - for Asamoah Gyan six years ago.
Ndong said: "I am very proud and happy to sign for Sunderland. This is a new adventure for me and to play in the Premier League is a dream come true.
"Maybe the Sunderland fans don't know me yet, but I promise that they will quickly discover that I will give everything for them and the club. It will be an honour to wear the Sunderland shirt and I will wear it with a true understanding of what it means."
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Sunderland were in the market for a new goalkeeper following an injury to Vito Mannone, who is out of action for three months.
Moyes tried to lure Joe Hart from Manchester City, but the England goalkeeper instead chose to go to Torino, while Ruddy will remain at Norwich.
The Black Cats were also keen to take Norwich forward Naismith on loan but it is believed the deal fell through on personal terms, while Moyes had been interested in signing Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez but he will remain at St Mary's.
M'Vila - who spent last season on loan at Sunderland from Rubin Kazan - appeared to be on his way back to the Stadium of Light, with the club having already agreed a pre-contract with the French midfielder to sign in January but a deal which would have seen him return this summer fell through.
Manchester City defender Jason Denayer did complete a season-long loan move to Sunderland, however.
