NEWS: Dutch ‘Keeper Joins On Trial - Mannone's replacement?

As we reported earlier today, Sunderland have taken a goalkeeper on trial after Vito Mannone was sold to Reading and the ‘keeper in question was likely to be Robbin Ruiter, formerly of FC Utrect.

Now Dick van Burik, the player’s agent, has confirmed that the goalkeeper’s identity is indeed Ruiter, with van Burik explaining to voetbal international that the main reason for the trial is not to test the player’s ability but to have a look at the player’s fitness after he spent a spell on sidelines last season with a fractured collarbone;

The club [Sunderland] wants to see how fit he is. Robbin has of course not played for six months due to injury.

The article claims that the chances are that he will be offered a contract once he has proven his fitness. As the 30-year-old has already been making a positive impression since his trial started two days ago, according to van Burik;

Robbin has made a very positive impression at Sunderland. Something he also built in recent years at FC Utrecht.

Now he hopes for a foreign adventure. Sunderland could be a wonderful new chapter in his career.

Ruiter has also been linked with PSV this summer but van Burik says there has been no contact from the Eredivisie side;

We have had no contact from PSV, so there is no point thinking about it, although they are a fantastic club.

According to Dutch journalist Michiel Jongsma, 6’5’ Ruiter has shades of Simon Mignolet in his game - a decent shotstopper but with concerns about the rest of his game.

Although we probably shouldn’t expect Mignolet mk.II, you should be able to see for yourself with Ruiter likely to get some playing time at the weekend in the pre-season friendly at Bradford City and if you can’t wait until then you can check out some highlights in the obligatory YouTube video.