Change was the key word surrounding Sunderland in July 2017 after our relegation from the Premier League the previous May. With David Moyes departing the club and Simon Grayson taking over, the latter was attempting to put his stamp on his team.
Grayson chased players from his former club Preston North End with winger Aiden McGeady a specific target.
Grayson believed that his team were missing a player with the trickery and undoubted quality that the Republic of Ireland winger possessed. After playing for Preston under Grayson the year before, the winger became a prime target upon his return to Everton during the summer of 2017.
On this day in 2017, local media confirmed the signing of McGeady for what was perceived as a bargain. McGeady had moved in a cut price £250,000 deal from Everton — and his new manager seemed very happy.
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> _Aiden’s career speaks volumes. He was an outstanding performer at Preston last season and was recognised by the league for player of the month awards and already knows a few of the lads from his Everton days. He has the pace to take people on and carry us up the pitch and excite the supporters._
McGeady’s move to the club divided opinion, with one side appreciating his trickery, close control and leadership whilst the other suggesting that it was a sideways move for a player who was somewhat a journeyman given that his career had seen him playing for Celtic, Spartak Moscow and Everton where he spent more time out on loan than at Goodison Park.
McGeady was not the only transfer on this day as Sunderland beefed up their strikeforce through the signing of Bury striker James Vaughan. Vaughan, who started his career at Everton had some prolific success in lower leagues and Grayson was hoping that this form could be replicated in the English Championship.
Upon signing, Grayson highlighted the physical presence that he felt the team was missing as a reason for targeting him.
> _“James has great experience and he is a player who will come into the squad and give us something different. I think we are missing a striker with a physical presence - and he certainly brings that attribute._
To put it plainly, Vaughan did not work out at Sunderland and he was swiftly moved out the door in the January transfer window where ‘cupping’ his ears to the Sunderland fans after his first and only goal for the club sparked hilarity amongst the Sunderland fateful.
McGeady was a decent signing overall though much of his time at the club was in League One. McGeady became a fans favourite due to his ability to do something out of nothing which excited fans during his time at the club.
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