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Youngster leaves for Republic of Ireland
19-year old youth product Dan Casey has today joined Bohemians on a free transfer after impressing on a trial period following his release by Sunderland at the end of last season.
The Republic of Ireland youngster played 13 games for our Under-23 side last season, and has also represented his country at Under-19 level.
League of Ireland side Bohemians, who finished 8th in the top flight of Irish football last season, are managed by ex-Stoke City player Keith Long. Former Sunderland players to have represented the Dublin-based club are Brendan McGill and Brian Mooney, whilst the last time both sides met was back in 2007 when Roy Keane took a side to the Irish capital which won 1-0 - the only goal of the game coming from Stern John.
Galloway speaks ahead of Livingston
New Sunderland loan signing Brendan Galloway has spoken to SAFC.com to preview this evenings game at Livingston.
Galloway - who arrived last week on loan from Premier League side Everton - made his first appearance in a Sunderland shirt on Sunday against Hibernian, and is hoping for a couple of wins this week as we round off our trip north of the border.
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Talking to the official club website, the left back said:
I think we played well as a team and I think that for most of the game we were in control of it. For the second game of pre-season we saw some good stuff and hopefully now for the week in Scotland we can push on an improve.
Most of the lads, myself included, have only done a few days back at the Academy of Light but it felt good to be back on the pitch finally this week. We just have to push on now. It has been very good. All the lads at Sunderland have been very nice, the people have been nice and it is a great club to play for so hopefully we can just push on now.
It is good that all the boys are back together now so we can focus on having a good week in Scotland. We have got two more games and hopefully we can get wins.
Mannone happy to stay?
Could Vito Mannone be set to stay on Wearside ahead of next season?
Following the departure of Jordan Pickford this summer there has been renewed hope that the Italian stopper will opt to remain at Sunderland, following speculation that he was almost certain to leave, and in a chat with the media he revealed that he’s focused on the first game of the Championship season against Derby County.
I am actually focusing on what I am doing every day, that is my first aim. I come in, I work hard during the pre-season and that is my aim from now on, to take it day by day, work hard and try and be ready for the games. To be honest I haven’t had a proper chat with no one, with the manager, so we wait and see and I just focus on my job which is getting ready for the first game.
I suppose that it’s a case of wait and see - having seen rumours that Sunderland were very much interested in securing the services of John Ruddy, who has since moved on to Wolverhampton Wanderers, it would indicate that we may yet still see some movement in our goalkeeping positions over the coming weeks.
Irrespective, should Mannone commit his future to the club it would be a welcome boost. Though he’s not exactly what you’d call Premier League class, he’s a very capable stopper and would surely do well in England’s second tier.
McGeady move nearing completion?
Sunderland target Aiden McGeady has not travelled with the Everton squad ahead of their pre-season trip to Tanzania, an indication perhaps that the winger is edging closer to a move to Wearside in the coming days.
The Toffees, managed by Dutch legend Ronald Koeman, have spent heavily thus far in the summer transfer window and a number of players - McGeady included - have been told that they are free to leave Merseyside should acceptable bidders come forward to secure their services.
Everton head to the African country to take on Gor Mahia FC, and their squad is missing a few notable faces, including wantaway midfielder Ross Barkley.
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Reports surfaced last week with the BBC that a transfer had been completed, though they were obviously premature as the statements were quickly retracted.
Hopefully we’ll see the standard ‘scarf-above-head’ photo of McGeady outside of the Academy of Light before this week is out.
Kone, Khazri and Lens news
Lamine Kone has today been again linked with a move to Tony Pulis’ West Bromwich Albion. Various reports from around the media have suggested that it is a two horse race for the Ivory Coast international between the midlands club and Burnley - hopefully, that means a bidding war!
One of the mooted suitors for Wahbi Khazri and Jeremain Lens, Galatasaray, have decided to sign Sofiane Feghouli from West Ham which could perhaps give some indication as to where they are headed, or not as the case may be.
Khazri - who barely featured under David Moyes last season - is one of the few players to still hold the respect of the fans following our disasterous Premier League campaign, so news that he could potentially be staying will be welcome amongst the majority of Sunderland supporters.