Craig Gordon has been training with Sunderland
this week
Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon has agreed terms with
Sunderland and a £9m transfer from Hearts will be completed on
Wednesday, BBC Sport understands. The 24-year-old had been expected
to hold talks with Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill before making
his choice. But Gordon has agreed a five-year deal to become
Sunderland's record signing after undergoing a medical at the club.
It is understood that Sunderland will pay an initial £7m, plus £2m
in future payments dependent on appearances.
Gordon, who will become Britain's most expensive goalkeeper if
confirmed, had spent two days training with Sunderland after a fee
was agreed with Hearts. The Edinburgh club's captain was expected
at Villa Park, but Sunderland manager Roy Keane appears to have
persuaded him that his future lies at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland had a £5m offer rejected in July, but chairman Niall
Quinn had stressed on Tuesday that they were determined to get
their man. "This is Roy Keane's department really, but we are
trying hard," he said. "If it takes a bit longer, so be it. We are
not going to lose our nerve now. There are lots of bits and pieces
going on behind the scenes. "My message to our fans is that we
haven't jumped in when an agent has rung us with a fashionable
player. "A lot of things have to fall right for someone to come to
play at Sunderland."
Sunderland, whose current record signing is Tore Andre Flo after
his £6.75m move in August 2002, have also made a bid for Tottenham
striker Mido after previously failing to sign the likes of Leighton
Baines from Wigan and Preston striker David Nugent. English
interest in Gordon had been rekindled after Hearts majority
shareholder Vladimir Romanov last week indicated he would be
willing to sell if the goalkeeper said he wanted to leave.
And Villa boss O'Neill had hinted that he had rekindled his
interest after Hearts had reduced their "exorbitant" demands.
O'Neill is keen to sign a goalkeeper with Thomas Sorensen, who has
one year left on his deal, set to miss the start of the season with
a hamstring injury.
BBC Sport understands that Manchester City boss Sven Goran-Eriksson
was also considering entering the bidding - but it now appears that
Sunderland have secured Gordon's services.
