Sunderland Striker Wickham Signs For Palace

Connor Wickham has officially signed for Crystal Palace on a five-year deal, with the fee thought to be up to £9 million, according to the Sunderland Echo. The 22-year-old completed a medical and discussed personal terms with the Eagles on Friday, but now the deal has now been rubber-stamped. The former Ipswich starlet scored just 11 senior league goals in 79 appearances for Sunderland as he struggled to nail down a regular starting spot for a large chunk of his time on Wearside. He also spent time on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds before returning to inspire the Black Cats' greatest escape with 5 crucial goals in less than two weeks to claw his team away from danger. Since then he has failed to progress, managing just 5 goals all season while playing as a first team regular. His attitude and effort has been called into question by the fans rather than his ability, and now it is Alan Pardew's task to extract every ounce of Wickham's potential if he is to justify his hefty price tag. Now all eyes will turn towards Sunderland Director of Football Lee Congerton on who will replace Wickham with money and wages freed up to reinvest. Jordan Rhodes and Moussa Sow are the two biggest names being thrown around, but it looks as though the fans may have to wait patiently for a replacement with the Premier League season fast-approaching.