City agree fee with Black Cats for Dunne
Richard Dunne. Photo: Phil Cole, Getty Images
Monday July 06 2009
RICHARD DUNNE will complete his move to Sunderland in the next 24 hours after Manchester City agreed a fee with the Black Cats for the Ireland international.
Dunne was voted City's player of the year for four seasons running but now City boss Mark Hughes has decided he wants to make sweeping changes in his defence and build a team around England men Joleon Lescott and John Terry, so Hughes has decided to let Dunne leave Eastlands.
A number of Premier League clubs had been keen to sign Ireland defender Dunne but new Black Cats boss Steve Bruce has won the race and may even offer Dunne the captaincy.
Dunne, who was due to celebrate his testimonial at City next season, will join Sunderland in a £2million deal.
Dunne could be one of the few senior Ireland players in the first team squad at Sunderland next season alongside Andy Reid as Liam Miller, David Connolly and Nick Colgan have all left in recent months.
Dunne's arrival could also signal the departure of Paul McShane to Ipswich Town, with Roy Keane also close to signing Daryl Murphy from his former club.
- Aidan Fitzmaurice
