The Black Cats are yet to make any summer signings ahead of a crucial season in League One, but first through the door could be 25-year-old Alim Ozturk.
According to the Sunderland Echo, Sunderland look set to make their first signing of the summer transfer window in the form of former Hearts defender Alim Ozturk.
The Black Cats will be looking for no less than promotion from League One next term after back-to-back relegations from the Premier League and Championship – and with a new era having already begun on Wearside at the hands of new owner Stewart Donald and former St Mirren boss Jack Ross, that task may well be a lot easier.
However, to gain promotion Sunderland must make a number of signings with several of their current squad looking likely to leave the former Premier League regulars.
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And with the Black Cats reportedly set to welcome Ozturk to the club, fans on Wearside will be hoping the signing of the 25-year-old will spark a number of other arrivals.
Ozturk looks likely to join Sunderland on a free transfer from Boluspor, where he made 39 appearances and scored one goal.
The man originally from Alkmaar in the Netherlands also enjoyed three years in Scotland with Hearts, where he made 62 appearances and scored five goals from defence.
Ozturk was a popular defender at the Scottish club and even captained the side for a period after playing an instrumental part in Hearts’ Scottish Championship title win in his first season in the west side of Edinburgh.
New Sunderland boss Ross knows the defender well from his time managing Hearts U20’s when Ozturk first signed with the Scottish club.
The Sunderland faithful will welcome the arrival of Ozturk, with their side very low on options in the heart of defence after former Black Cats captain John O’Shea and Irish international Marc Wilson left the club earlier this month.
Ozturk could find himself as one of only two or three senior central defenders at the club, with Lamine Kone’s departure looking likely after two underwhelming seasons in the heart of Sunderland’s defence.
42-year-old Ross will be keen to strengthen in other areas of the pitch also, with Sunderland’s striking options being minimal – as well as a goalkeeper, with Jason Steele set to move to Premier League Brighton.
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