Confirmed: Sunderland sign Bailey Wright from Bristol City on a two-year-deal

Sunderland AFC have signed Australian international defender Bailey Wright on a two-year-deal following his release from Championship side Bristol City.

Wright joined Phil Parkinson’s squad on loan in the January transfer window, making five appearances before being side-lined for the rest of the season through a knee injury.

Sunderland kept four clean sheets against Tranmere, Ipswich, Oxford and Rochdale out of Wright’s five league appearances, with a 2-0 loss away at Portsmouth being the sole exception.

Following his injury, the 27-year-old was replaced by the highly debated Alim Ozturk who has since been released from the club alongside other central defenders Joel Lynch and Jack Baldwin.

He will join Jordan Willis and Tom Flanagan as Sunderland’s two contracted central defenders, with another defender hopefully set to sign before the new season starts.

The Aussie has experience of promotion in League One having won the playoffs in 2015 with ex-Sunderland manager Simon Grayson’s Preston.

The centre-back made over 200 appearances during his tenure with Preston before moving to Bristol City where he became captain.

Wright has 24 international caps for Australia and will be looking to have an effective season with Sunderland in order to ensure his place within his countries’ 2021 Copa America squad.