Forward brings both quality and experience

IT’S fair to say that Sunderland's transfer window has been a thrilling one for supporters and well beyond their expectations.

- By CLIVE YOULTON

Bertrand Traore was the latest signing to squeak in just before the transfer deadline and it was another incredible signing following on from Brian Brobbey and defender Lutsharel Geertruida.

After Sunderland failed in their bid to bring in winger Armand Lauriente, which reportedly fell through having almost been completed, they wanted to plug that gap.

Traore emerged late in the window and it’s unusual in that it was a short-term contract with an option rather than the longer contracts given to other new recruits.

But at age 29 that's understandable and it is another example of just how astute and prudent the club have been when it comes to their transfer business.

He doesn’t have a significant resale value which meant a lower fee paid for him, thought to be in the region of £2.5m.

Unlike the tried and trusted model of recruiting predominantly younger players, there isn’t as much room for him to develop given his age but he offers good strength in depth, is of top quality and has experience too. That is vital in the Premier League and the hierarchy appear to have hit all the right notes.

Itis not thought that the deal was dependent on Patrick Roberts moving on to Birmingham City on loan. Roberts was understood to be heading on his way in any case.

Because of the successful role he has played during the club's rise from League One the club have done right by him in letting him go out and get the game time that would have been occasional at best had he stayed.