Diarra has all the right qualities to make an impact

SUNDERLAND head coach Regis Le Bris believes Habib Diarra is a perfect fit for Sunderland and the Premier League.

- By CLIVE YOULTON Football writer

The Black Cats broke their transfer record, laying out an initial fee of €31.5m for the 21year-old with additions totalling €4m to follow.

The Senegal international has completed a permanent switch from Ligue 1 side Strasbourg and became the second record capture of the summer, following the permanent arrival of Enzo Le Fée, with more new signings to come.

Sunderland have reportedly agreed a £14.7million deal to sign Union Saint Gilloise midfielder Noah Sadiki and are in talks with Chelsea over goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.

Diarra made his first-team debut at the age of 17 and has gone on to make a century of appearances for Le Racing, while earning 11 caps for his country. One of his four goals for Les Lions de le Teranga was scored in a 3-1 international friendly victory over England last month.

Diarra's move to the top-flight of English football represents a rapid rise in his young career to date, becoming a full-fledged international and bearing the responsibility of wearing the captain’s armband for a Strasbourg side who impressively finished in a Europa Conference League spot last season.