Sunderland Transfer News: Liam Bridcutt Deal Confirmed
have announced the double completed signings of Ignacio Scocco from Internacional and Liam Bridcutt from Brighton & Hove Albion. The signing of the versatile attacker Ignacio Scocco was announced earlier this week, whilst Bridcutt was confirmed today. Sunderland forked out a reported £3 million each for Argentine Scocco, 28, who follows compatriots Oscar Ustari and Santiago Vergini to the North East this January, and Liam Bridcutt, 24. Sunderland will be hoping that Scocco will ease The Black Cats striker woes - Steven Fletcher and Jozy Altidore have a total of four goals between them this season - instead the goals of Adam Johnson keep Sunderland just above the bottom three. Scocco has appeared for Argentina once - where he impressively scored twice against Brazil in an Americas Superclassic Cup match in Novemeber 2012. Meanwhile, Scottish midfielder Liam Bridcutt rejoins former Brighton manager Gus Poyet at the Stadium of Light where he was a vital component in helping Poyet's Brighton finish in the play-offs last season - though he could not prevent fierce rivals Crystal Palace defeating The Seagulls in the Play-Off Semi-Finals. Bridcutt began his career coming through the ranks of Chelsea, however he failed to make an appearance for The Blues joining Brighton in 2010 - establishing himself as a vital player for the South Coast club appearing 132 times. Born in Reading, Bridcutt qualifies for Scotland through his Scottish granddad and he earned his first cap for the national team in the game against Serbia, March 2013. Poyet also recalled Connor Wickham earlier this month after the youngster impressed during his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday to add to Sunderland's attacking options.
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