Man City outcast Bridge signs for Sunderland on loan



Wayne Bridge has ended his Manchester City misery by signing for Sunderland on deadline day.



The former England left back completed a medical and signs on loan for the rest of the season.



Bridge told SAFC TV: 'I'm delighted to make the move. I have met the manager and the lads and everyone seems great.

'I'm just excited to start playing football and playing a few games. The club is on the up - the manager has come in and done very well.



Welcome: Sunderland parade former England left back Wayne Bridge

'Just coming in and speaking to him, everything has been positive. I have trained with the lads and they are a great bunch who are feeling really positive. Hopefully I can help the club progress even more.

'I'm grateful for the chance and want to go out and work hard. I have looked at the fixtures and this month's quite busy with a game every few days. That's going to be good for me.'



Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill said: 'I’m hoping that with Wayne’s undoubted experience and ability he can be a big help to the team until the end of the season.

'I’m very pleased to have him here and with the number of injuries we’ve sustained recently I’m sure he’ll be a great help to us.'



Bridge has played just 78 minutes of senior football this season after slipping down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium.

His only appearance of the campaign to date came in a 2-0 Carling Cup third-round victory over Birmingham on September 21.

Bridge joined City from Chelsea in a £12million move in January 2009, but has managed only 58 appearances in his three years with the club.

Loan deal: Bridge is set to join Sunderland

He began his career with home-town club Southampton and hit the big time when he was snapped up by Chelsea in a £7million deal in July 2003.



Bridge, who has 30 senior England caps, would fill a position which has been vacant for some time at the Stadium of Light.

Either right-back Phil Bardsley or midfielder Kieran Richardson have more often than not played on the left side of defence for the last two seasons.

O'Neill's predecessor Steve Bruce chased Wigan's Maynor Figueroa for much of his time at the club, but was never able to plug the gap with a specialist.

Black cats boss Martin O’Neill could also go for former Sunderland midfielder Bolo Zenden, 35, who left the club last summer but has been unable to find a club since.

