Sunderland’s goalkeeper crisis played a huge part in their relegation campaign last term, with the Black Cats fielding three different stoppers.
Sunderland are on the lookout for one or two new candidates to fill the goalkeeping void left by Jason Steele who recently joined Brighton, and reports emerging from the Chronicle suggest the Black Cats are close to signing 30-year-old Jon McLaughlin.
New Sunderland owner Stewart Donald recently suggested that the Black Cats are searching for a goalkeeper who can solve Sunderland’s seemingly never ending problem between the sticks – and McLaughlin could be the man to do just that.
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The 30-year-old has experience of playing in the last line of defence at a range of clubs, but most recently at Scottish club Hearts.
McLaughlin has also played in England, including stints at Bradford Harrogate Town and Burton Albion, where he made 133 appearances in a three year stint at the club.
Sunderland’s dismal Championship campaign last season was accompanied with a whole host of goalkeeping blunders, a lot of those coming from Jason Steele who recently departed Wearside for a shock move to Premier League Brighton. Steele’s move to Brighton certainly pleased many of the Sunderland faithful after an underwhelming year on Wearside.
McLaughlin made a good impression in front of the Hearts fans in his debut season last term, conceding only 32 goals across the campaign – a stat rewarded with a maiden Scotland cap against Mexico.
Sunderland will certainly be making an excellent acquisition if they were to get McLaughlin to sign a contract with the club, and the 30-year-old be a key player in Sunderland’s promotion quest to bounce back to the Championship at the first time of asking.
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