Those attending, and others reading about, the pre-season friendlies in which Robbin Ruiter played for us in goal can voice only satisfaction and relief that he is now a Sunderland player.
No one should damn Jason Steele on the basis of one rotten performance (vs Celtic). There were others in the team that day, notably Lamine Kone, who struggled to reach more than 2/10 in post-match ratings.
But Ruiter’s shot-stopping was on all accounts superb. He is massively welcome at the club. We need a safe pair of hands for a difficult start to the season.
Here, in part, is how safc.com broke the news:
‘Sunderland have completed the signing of Robbin Ruiter on a free transfer.
The Dutch stopper, who has signed a two-year deal, arrives following a successful trial at the club, during which he started and impressed in games against Bradford City and Scunthorpe United.
Ruiter becomes the second goalkeeper to sign this summer, with Jason Steele also putting pen to paper following the departures of Jordan Pickford and Vito Mannone.
And speaking to safc.com, he revealed he can’t wait to get started.
“I’m very pleased to be here because I had a great couple of days training with the team and played some good games, so I really wanted to sign and pleased I’m finally a Sunderland player.
“From the moment I stepped through the door everything was so professional. It’s such a big club and for me it was always a dream to play in England, so if a club like Sunderland comes and asks if you want to sign it’s a big chance” … The player could be eligible for Friday night’s season opener against Derby County, subject to international clearance being received.’
Vito would have been a decent keeper in the Championship. From what I’ve seen RR looks as good if not better. So all in all both new keepers are sensible signings.
Proof of the pudding etc etc but so far the signings make sense. Lens is a mercenary and was never going to stay. Kone is a worry…..I’m still befuddled over the choice of NDong at 13 million over MVilla for considerably less.
So for me Grayson has made a better job of signings than Moyes did….and probably would have if he had stayed
Cautiously optimistic…….awaits brickbats
One swallow doesn’t make a summer but let’s hope one Robbin makes a season. Very impressed with him at the Bradford city game. Here’s hoping he’s a typical SAFC number one.