'The Next Vieira' Signs For Sunderland

Yann M'Vila is the Black Cats' fifth summer addition.

Yan M'Vila has signed for Sunderland on a one-year loan deal with a view to a permanent deal after completing a medical on Wearside. The 25-year-old central midfielder was high on the shopping list of Arsenal and Liverpool just a couple of seasons ago, though a move to either side never materialised, and M'Vila instead plied his trade for Rennes, Rubin Kazan, and went on loan to Internazionale earlier this year. M'Vila was all set to sign for Dynamo Moscow on loan before trashing his new house and buying an axe for protection after claims of extorting money were made against the Dynamo Head of Security. The French international midfielder has made 22 appearances for his national side, scoring one goal, and his compatriot Marcel Desailly told Goal.com in 2012 that: "M'Vila is better than Vieira was and Arsenal should pay whatever it takes to sign him." Former Rennes boss Frederic Antonetti once spoke to FIFA.com about M'Vila, saying: "He reads the game like Claude Makelele, has the presence of Patrick Vieira and can pass the ball like Yaya Toure." While M'Vila hasn't quite lived up to those enormous expectations, he could be a very shrewd addition to the Sunderland squad if Dick Advocaat can mould him into the side.
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What Culture contributor. NCTJ accredited Sports Journalist. Regret-filled Sunderland AFC season ticket holder. Optimism-filled NFL fan. Lover of all things Game Of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Walking Dead & more.