Wright choice for Sunderland

Sunderland AFC have completed the signing of England Under-21 defender Stephen Wright for €4.7m from Liverpool FC.

Five-year deal
Wright, 22, has agreed a five-year contract at the Stadium of Light and is due to make his debut in the season opener against Blackburn Rovers FC on Saturday. Liverpool had not wanted to sell Wright, but the defender was aware his first-team chances would be limited at Anfield with Markus Babbel and Jamie Carragher ahead of him in the queue.

'Will to win'
"The biggest thing is that I want first-team football," Wright told Sunderland's official website . "But I'm also coming to a massive club with passionate supporters. I'm passionate about the game, I work very hard and have a will to win - that's what I'll bring to Sunderland."

Fourth signing
Wright is Peter Reid's fourth buy of the summer after the arrivals of Sean Thornton, Phil Babb and Thomas Myhre and the manager is looking to bring in another new face before the weekend. "The lad has got great drive," said Reid. "He's a winner and is determined to play, that's why he has come here. It was not easy getting Stephen here because he's left a massive football club where he was highly rated - but he just wants to play."

Hoping for improvement
Sunderland are looking to make up for a poor season in which they risked relegation, finishing in 17th position, having been seventh in their two previous campaigns.