ROKER ROUNDUP: Stewart Donald’s Sunderland takeover edges closer as new company is registered

Donald registers new company ahead of Sunderland takeover

While we wait for the takeover by Stewart Donald’s ‘international consortium’ to be confirmed, Donald has been busy registering a new business that appears to relate to the running of Sunderland AFC.

In a filing at Companies House, Donald registered a company called ‘Madrox Partners Limited’ on 2, May 2018. Madrox - which appears to be a portmanteau of Madrid and Oxford (referencing Donald’s Oxford base and Madrid in reference to the Spanish partners rumoured to be involved in the consortium) - has it’s nature of business stated as:

• Buying and selling of own real estate
• Operation of sports facilities
• Activities of sport clubs
• Other sports activities

The last three are self-explanatory but ‘buying and selling of own real estate’ is interesting if this company is to be the holding company that oversees Sunderland AFC.

Madrox has four directors listed at Companies House, Donald himself, Charlie Methven (a PR expert who accompanied Donald to the Wolves game on Sunday), a company called Cornfield Enterprises Limited (which, according to their filing at Companies House, have nature of business as Silviculture and other forestry activities), and finally Dragon PR Limited (the PR business Methven is involved with).

One of the directors of Cornfield Enterprises is listed as Paul Walls, who was also at the game on Sunday:

So far the only filing listed for Madrox is a Certificate of Incorporation [which you can read HERE].

We’ll have to wait and see how this company plays into the future of the club but it’s filing certainly suggests the takeover is drawing closer.

Loan Watch - Borini scores

It was a quiet week for the loan players with only Fabio Borini and Papy Djilobodji getting onto the pitch.

Borini had to settle for a place on the bench as Milan hosted Hellas Verona on Saturday afternoon but did come on to replace Suso near the hour mark. He made the most of his opportunity too as he scored a late goal (which you can see below) as Milan ran out 4-1 winners.

Djilobodji played started and finished the game as Dijon overcame Guingamp 3-1, playing on the left of a back three as his team moved within a point of their opponents in mid-table.

Wahbi Khazri missed out with a muscular problem as Rennes beat Strasborg 2-1, Josh Robson was an unused substitute as Notodden FK lost 3-1 at Viking and Tom Beadling was missing through injury as Dunfermline lost in the play-offs to Dundee United.

Ex-midfielder released by Championship side

David Meyler has been released by Championship side Hull City. Meyler made 191 appearances for Hull after joining from Sunderland - initially on loan - when former Sunderland manger Steve Bruce took him to the KCOM Stadium.

After our relegation to League One, we’re are almost certainly going to have to build a squad from scratch - youngsters aside - no matter who the new manager is. With Meyler now being available on a free transfer, still only 28 and seemingly over the injury problems he struggled with in his time with us, would you take him back?

Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images

McNair in team of the week

Finally, Paddy McNair has been rewarded for his excellent display against champions Wolverhampton Wanderers, which he topped with a well taken goal, with a place in the EFL team of the week.

McNair, who has been in excellent goalscoring form of late (four goals in his last five games), scored the final goal of the game against Wolves and the final goal of a turbulent season.