We will survive insists new boy Stead

14 April 2012

Sunderland striker Jon Stead is convinced his new club can make it in the Barclays Premiership.

Stead turned down Charlton, a club well established in the top-flight, in order to join Sunderland in a £1.8million move from Blackburn.

Sunderland won promotion to the Premiership as winners of the Coca-Cola Championship last season, and Stead is confident boss Mick McCarthy can keep them there.

"I had a choice between Sunderland and Charlton, I spoke to both parties and had a look around," said Stead. "It was just the feeling I got when I came here, when I saw the training ground and stadium, and especially after speaking to the manager.

"He assured me this was the place to be, and I am sure it is. It is a massive club, a Premiership club and I have every confidence we will be a Premiership club for many seasons to come. I would not have come here if I did not think 100% we can do it."

The 22-year-old signed a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light as McCarthy finally got his hands on a player he has been trailing for around 18 months.

Stead opted for a £1.2million switch to Blackburn in January last year when handed a choice between Ewood Park and Wearside, but after being presented with the opportunity to head for either the north-east or Charlton, this time he decided Sunderland was the place to be.

"It feels fantastic to be a Sunderland player," he said. "Everything was a bit of a shock, but I am finally putting on the red and white after wearing blue and white in my career, so I am delighted and looking forward to it."

Having risen to prominence at home-town club Huddersfield, Stead made a blistering start to his Premiership career at Blackburn under Graeme Souness, scoring six times in 13 league appearances.

However, he found life more difficult last season and when it became apparent that he was not in the plans of new boss Mark Hughes, McCarthy made his move.
"I am thrilled to have Jonathan on board," he said.

"He is an England Under-21 international and he has scored goals in the Premier League, so he is a great signing for us.

"Jonathan is the kind of lad that will fit into our squad and team ethic straight away."

McCarthy has made no secret of his desire to recruit strikers of proven quality for life in the Barclays Premiership after telling Marcus Stewart, Brian Deane and Michael Bridges they could all leave the club following last season's Coca-Cola Championship title success.

He has had two bids for Wolves' Kenny Miller rejected and reports suggest he has tabled a second, improved offer for Watford's Heidar Helguson.

Daryl Murphy has already sealed a £100,000 move from Waterford and it would be no surprise if he and Stead were joined by another frontman.

However, the club's fourth summer signing - full-back Nyron Nosworthy joined from Gillingham last week - is likely to be goalkeeper Kelvin Davis.

It is understood the Ipswich player was on Wearside yesterday to undergo a medical with a view to sealing a £1.25million transfer following discussions the week before last.

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