This is the news so many of us have been waiting for. But how many dreaded the next announcement about Stéphane Sessegnon would be altogether different?
Whatever it took, from pay rises and cuddles to first-class Eurostar tickets, Martin O’Neill has persuaded Sess to stay. A contract extension keeps him at the club, or massively enhances his already high market value, until 2015.
The club website disclosed this momentous development in brief and somewhat dry terms.
Stéphane Sessegnon has signed an extension to his contract with Sunderland.
The Beninese star is now under contract at the Stadium of Light until 2015.
Sessegnon is the club’s reigning Player of the Season and has been a huge hit since moving to Wearside from Paris Saint-Germain in January 2011.
The 28-year-old has made 58 appearances for the Black Cats, scoring 11 goals. He finished as the club’s joint-leading scorer last season with eight strikes. The contract extension is naturally subject to the player being granted an extension to his current work permit.
For most fans, I’d guess, it can be as dry as it wants. This, in its way, is as important as last week’s fabulous news of the captures of Steven Fletcher and Adam Johnson.
Sir Martin O’Neill has a certain ring to it.
See what I made of it at the Sunderland pages of ESPN’s FC Network by clicking on http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/sunderland?cc=5739
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Ditto all the above comments.Left it late, but very satisfactory all round.
I’m pleased Sess is staying, mildy troubled that Rico has gone, but consoled by the arrival of Rose. I am not at all ruffled that we didn’t get Jenas.
I still think we could do with a couple of full backs before the end of the day.Pity the Strinic deal didn’t come off.Be waiting with bated breath to see what happens today.
You scooped me, Pete! What a reunion that will be. I imagine O’Neill is having a quiet (or perhaps noisy) chuckle.
He’s palmed Elmo off to Hull City as well. Their manager can’t know much about footballers then!!!!
No Malcolm, we can’t.
Can we not get a song going to the obvious tune of “Here Comes the Sun” which goes
Stephan Sessegnon na na na na.
Stephan Sessegnon and I say
He’s allright na na na na na na na na!
Another victory for our manager’s powers of persuasion! Great to have Sess on a long-term deal. Not being on his own upfront must have been a big factor, along with the club’s showing its ambition in signing fellow attackers Johnson and Fletcher. Now we can really look forward to the season…
There are no atheists on the terraces. Or, rather, in the stands.
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Wait a minute, I thought I was an atheist!!
That for me is the best signing of the transfer window ! What an attacking and creative team we could have next year !
Hate to say “I told you so” (actually, I don’t hate it at all) but I’ve said that all along.
I thought he’d leave! Well done Sir Martin, singing of the summer.
As vital as any signing, and is a great statement of our ability to get our best players on long term contracts.