Sunderland sign Steve Harper Published: 22 January, 2016 by Oscar Chamberlain Experienced stopper signs up. Sunderland AFC have signed veteran goalkeeper Steve Harper on a short-term deal until the end of the season. The experienced shot-stopper will be the Black Cats third goalkeeper, supporting existing ‘keepers Vito Mannone and Jordan Pickford. Manager Sam Allardyce said: “Steve will be a positive addition to our goalkeeping stable. He has vast experience at the top level and that can only be beneficial to Vito and Jordan as they continue to develop. He can also teach who ever is number two how to sit comfy on the bench. He knows the club well and, as an Easington lad born and bred, he needs no introduction to Sunderland.”
Meh...I'm as bothered about this as I have been about any 3rd choice keeper coming in, not very. Don't care he played for them. In all likelihood he won't ever play for us but if he does we will be glad he's there because in that situation we'd have been ****ed otherwise. The posters having a go at short for this one, did you expect us to break the bank for a backup keeper?
It's all about balancing the books and having cover at the same time. Probably won't play a single game for us so hopefully the freed up cash gets spent on players that will play.
No yer daft **** - it shows where the ambition is. IE, there is none, Another manager led up the garden path by Shorty & that Irish slag.
Steve Harper is relishing a return to the training ground after penning a short-term deal with Sunderland. The experienced goalkeeper signed up for the remainder of the campaign on Friday to provide suitable back-up for Vito Mannone and Jordan Pickford following Costel Pantilimon’s departure. Harper’s move will also see his career come full circle having started his playing days with local club Seaham Redstar, before moving to Tyneside where he spent 20 years on the books of rivals Newcastle United during which time he gained vast domestic and European experience. And speaking to safc.com Harper, who left Hull City in 2015, explained how his move to Wearside came to fruition, whilst also elaborating on why the time was right to make a return to action. “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind, how it all happened,” explained Harper. “I saw the manager in the summer when we guests at a wedding, not together I might add, and we got chatting because we were obviously both out of the game at the time. “I worked with him before at Newcastle and I got a phone call yesterday asking how I was, what my fitness was like and if I fancied coming in for a chat, so I came in this morning and however many hours later we’ve had a good chat, done a few tests and I’ve signed on the dotted line.” He continued: “I played for Seaham Redstar when I was 15 and it’s not a million miles way – Easington where I was born is about a ten-minute drive – but it’s taken a long time to get here, bypassing it on the way. “I turned down a lot of offers in the summer; I had a chance to join Premier League club and Championship club in August and three offers to go to India, but I think my career proves I’m a bit of a home bird. “I think if I hadn’t played the last seven games of last season I probably would have finished, but I played the last seven keeping three clean sheets and just had that gnawing feeling that I had a bit of unfinished business, so I kept myself ticking over. “I was in shock when he [Sam Allardyce] rang but over the course of today, seeing the training field, and that little gnawing feeling that there was something left in me, I thought why not.”
No need for you opening remark like. How does it show a lack of ambition? We have moved on a big earner who wouldn't play and brought in a low cost replacement who won't play and the difference in wages will probably be used elsewhere in the squad where it's needed
Could you at least try to explain to me in a civil manner why this particular Incident shows a lack of ambition?
looks chuffed hahaha Not even a signing imo , more of extreme insurance cover saying that knowing our luck both will break legs and ill be 1st choice for the mags!
Well I'm not particularly a very nice person. Truth be told I'm a **** but I'll give it a go. Hello there my good man. How are you today my fine fellow? Hope you are well. I see we have signed that chap Steven Harper to replace that Romanian fellow Mr Pantillimon. One is of the opinion that this is how we intend to go in the future. I do believe that the wallet is shut & that nice Mr Short will not be spending much this window old bean. Are you of the same thought?
Only Sunderland would get stick off it's fans for not showing enough ambition in their selection of a 3rd choice goalkeeper! It's actually ****ing hilarious Personally I'd have shown even less ambition and promoted Talbot or Stryjrek. I want investment in 1st team players please not 3rd choice keepers. Glad we've gone for somebody who'll work for his dinner.
No my good man I can't say I am. I believe as I've already said the difference In wages will be used on outfield reinforcements. Thanks for you polite reply although I don't agree with your opinion this is what forums are for.
Monsiuer Short still he owe me 200 euro. He taste like he just eat brie. We give them Statue of liberty and still he not pay. No more going into cubicle 9 at the ritz.
