The Northern Ireland striker joined the Black Cats after their bid for the Wigan man was accepted at the 11th hour.
New Sunderland signing Will Grigg has spoken out on his transfer deadline day move to the Stadium of Light from Wigan Athletic.
His comments show just how close the Black Cats were to missing out on the Northern Ireland striker as he explained how he was about to go to bed before a text message set things in motion.
According to BBC Sport, Sunderland’s successful £4million bid for Grigg, accepted very close to Thursday’s transfer deadline, was their eighth attempt, while Sky Sports News says it took six.
Once the Latics finally accepted the bid, things then progressed rapidly for the 27-year-old, who agreed to the switch on paper but had to head to the north east on Friday in order to complete a medical.
The Football Association ratified the transfer and Grigg is now a Sunderland player, tasked with scoring the goals which will hopefully get the club back into the Championship at the first attempt.
However, speaking to Sky Sports News, he explained that, based on the prior failed bids, he was going to see the day – and season – out as a Wigan player, and was close to going to sleep and potentially missing the crucial text.
“The deal was off so I got the kids to bed and had dinner, got in my pyjamas and before you know it I’ve got a text saying can you get to Wigan as soon as possible and it all happened quickly from there,” he said.
“As glamorous as it sounds I was in my pyjamas and as soon as I got a text and the call I was in my car straight away just after half nine, so it was quite a late one to be honest.”
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