On Friday morning, League One promotion chasers Sunderland announced that they had completed the last-minute signing of striker Will Grigg from Championship side Wigan Athletic.
After pursuing a deal throughout the January transfer window, Sunderland finally sealed the signing of Wigan Athletic striker Will Grigg. They announced the arrival of Grigg on their Twitter account on Friday morning in fitting fashion.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥https://t.co/LeMBfTsQpq
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) February 1, 2019
The Northern Ireland international pens a three-and-a-half year deal with the Black Cats, coming in to bolster Jack Ross’ attacking options amid the departure of youngster Josh Maja to French Ligue 1 side Bordeaux earlier in the window.
According to Sky Sports, Wigan Athletic had turned down five bids from Sunderland as they battled to keep hold of their star striker. However, a final sixth bid of £4m was too much for Wigan Athletic to turn down. They accepted the deadline day offer from the Black Cats and the deal was completed late on Thursday night, prior to Friday’s announcement.
Wigan boss Paul Cook was keen to keep the striker, telling Wigan Today last week:
“Will Grigg has a price, everyone has a price! But I think with the fact you’ve seen us rebuffing four attempts – and forgive me Sunderland if I’m saying anything wrong – you can clearly see our intent is not to sell players.”
Wigan stated the fee that Sunderland will pay £4m in total for the striker in their announcement of his departure, posting on Twitter this morning:
We can confirm that @WillGrigg has completed a £4million transfer to @SunderlandAFC, subject to FA and EFL approval.
Full story 👉 https://t.co/umAl9JcJK2#wafc 🔵⚪️💚
— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) February 1, 2019
Upon the announcement, Sunderland fans have been reacting on Twitter, showing their joy at the arrival of Grigg.
Mass relief to get the Grigg deal done, yes it is a costly one but we'll be well compensated if we go up, we at least have a decent chance now of going up automatically which we simply wouldn't have if Wyke was our only senior striker #safc
— Jamie Joslyn (@JamieJoslyn1) February 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/ChristophSAFC/status/1091313131513511938
If I’ve sang it once I’ve sang it 100+ times.
But now I can actually sing it for #SAFC !!
🎶 WILL GRIGG’S ON FIRE, YOUR DEFENCE IS TERRIFIED 🔥 🔥 🔥
— NT (@88NTaylor) February 1, 2019
Well done @stewartdonald3 did everything to back the manager as he said he would. 5 good signings for the run in to the end of the season. Wonder if the "fans" whining will stop now. Keep The Faith
— Sheepinator999 (@sheepinator999) February 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/ncowan11/status/1091374646711275520
https://twitter.com/Mence10/status/1091361430975205376
— Mark Daniel (@coffeegoblin) February 1, 2019
— Scott (@76skelly) February 1, 2019