Sunderland have taken defender Gael Andonian on trial.
Sunderland are weighing up offering a deal to trialist Gael Andonian – and he certainly has a recommendation from Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa.
The Black Cats backed new manager Jack Ross with a total of 15 signings over the summer, including the likes of Jack Baldwin, Dylan McGeouch and Charlie Wyke.
However, Ross is still looking to add more talent to his squad, and another defender is on his radar even after signing Baldwin, Alim Ozturk, Tom Flanagan and Glenn Loovens this summer.
Sunderland have recently taken defender Andonian on trial, giving him an opportunity to win a contract having been released by Marseille at the end of last season.
Andonian, 23, first joined Marseille back in 2004 and came up through their ranks, but made just one appearance as he spent most of his time in their B team, before loan spells with Dijon and Greek side Veria.
An Armenian international with 22 caps to his name, Andonian could be a shrewd addition on a free transfer, and he certainly had one fan in Marseille in manager Marcelo Bielsa.
Bielsa – now of Leeds United – gave Andonian his solitary Marseille appearance, and had words of praise for the defender in 2015, when he was fighting for playing time.
Bielsa was quoted by Foot Marseille as saying that he had ‘respect and admiration’ for Andonian, suggesting that he has all the qualities needed to be a good defender, and was a model professional at Marseille.
“I have a mixture of respect and admiration for this player,” said Bielsa. “He is an irreproachable professional. At his age, he has already managed to assimilate all the rules or duties that the footballer’s job requires. He has all the qualities for the position where he plays,” he added.
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