Report: Sunderland Sign Basel Midfielder

Reports coming out of Switzerland today suggest Sunderland have made their second signing of the summer, after Altrincham's Duncan Watmore, in the shape of Basel's defensive midfielder, Cabral.

Cabral, whose full name is Adilson Tavares Varela, originally hails from Cape Verde but now holds Swiss citizenship and has 8 caps for Switzerland under 21s. Primarily a defensive midfielder, the player can also play central defence when needed. He is the cousin of former Manchester City midfielder Gelson Fernandes.

His contract with FC Basel runs out at the end of June, so is available on a Bosman free transfer and according to his advisor;

He has signed a four year contract.

He has played 45 games in all competitions for Basle this season, including 10 games in the Europa League. Although a regular starter he only played 24 minutes in their games against Spurs and Chelsea.

Starting his career at Lausanne, he moved to Basel on a free transfer in 2007, then had a loan spell at Sevilla's B team in 2008 before establishing himself in Basel's first team, where he played 85 league games, scoring two goals.

Although yet to be confirmed by Sunderland, something which may not happen until July 1st, the 24-year-old midfielder certainly fits the rumoured new direction of our transfer targets, young, cheap players who the club can bring on.