Sunderland complete £8m signing of Liverpool target Connor Wickham from Ipswich Town

Connor Wickham

Related Links

Teams

Players

Sunderland have completed the signing of Connor Wickham from Ipswich Town for a fee of £8.1 million, which could rise to £12m with add-ons.

The highly rated striker had attracted interest from a number of big clubs including Liverpool, who seemed to be in pole position to land the 18-year-old’s signature, but the youngster completed his move to Wearside on Wednesday after passing a medical.

Wickham, a Liverpool fan, could make his debut for Steve Bruce’s side at Anfield on the opening day of the season and has revealed that he is thrilled to have made the step up to the Premier League.

“I’m so excited, Sunderland are a massive club with amazing facilities and I can’t wait to get started,” he told the club’s official website.

The teenager made his debut for Ipswich days after turning 16, making him the youngest ever Championship player.

The forward’s growing reputation as one of the country’s most talented prospects was acknowledged after a fantastic first season for the Tractor Boys saw him the recipient of The Football League’s Young Player of the Year Award.

The 6ft 3″ striker scored six goals in 10 starts for the club and made a further 19 appearances from the bench.

The youngster also grabbed the winning goal for England in the Under-17 European Championships final last summer.