Goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin is reportedly set to sign for League One Sunderland after leaving Scottish Premiership outfit Hearts.
Lee Camp, Robbin Ruiter and Jason Steele haven’t exactly set the bar very high for Sunderland’s next goalkeeper.
According to the Scottish Sun, the Black Cats are expected to complete the signing of Jon McLaughlin on a free transfer, weeks after he left Hearts following the expiry of his contract. The 30-year-old has even turned down lucrative offers from Cyprus and Azerbaijan in favour of a move to Wearside.
And after the calamitous performances of Sunderland’s three ‘shot-stoppers’ last season, when The Black Cats finished bottom of the Championship with the second-worst defensive record in the division, McLaughlin’s impending arrival has unsurprisingly been greeted with plenty of glee from the Stadium of Light faithful.
The 30-year-old is a fine goalkeeper and was included in the SPFL Team of the Season back in May for arguably the best season of his career between the sticks at Hearts. McLaughlin, who made his Scotland debut against Mexico earlier in the year, kept 14 clean sheets in all competitions last season including seven in a row over the festive period.
If anyone is going to solve Sunderland’s goalkeeping problem, it is McLaughlin. Remember, he finished runners-up at League One level with little Burton Albion in 2016 so has the potential to be one of the very best signings at this level, especially on a free.
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