‘I want to play, but so does everyone else’ – Sunderland’s Keiren Westwood looking for first-team football

Keiren Westwood

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Sunderland summer signing Keiren Westwood says he is targetting a place in the first-team following his move from Coventry City.

The 26-year-old goalkeeper officially signed for the Black Cats on Friday after the transfer window opened for the summer and arrives on Wearside on a free following the expiry of his contract at the Ricoh Arena.

With just under 300 senior appearances already, Westwood has more than enough first-team experience.

However, with both Simon Mignolet and Craig Gordon to compete with the Irishman knows he’ll have plenty of competition for places in England’s top-flight league.

The keeper told SAFC TV: “It feels brilliant to have finally made the move. I can’t wait to get started.

“I’m back here on the 6th June and I’ll be getting my head down and working hard straight away.

“I want to play, but so does everyone else. It’ll be a tough contest but that’s what it’s all about in Premier League squads.”

He added: “Maybe in the Championship they have established number ones with younger backups, but at this level it’s all about competition.

“This is a massive club. The stadium and training ground are amazing and befit of a club of this magnitude.”

Westwood didn’t find success as a player until being released by Manchester City and was picked up by Carlisle, where he helped them into the League One following successive promotions.

After his move to Coventry, Westwood saw himself named in the Championship team of the year and the club’s player of the year in his debut season.

“Being released by City as a 19-year-old was the kick up the backside I needed,” he said.

“It gave me that desire to prove a lot of people wrong. I started again in the Conference and gradually worked my way back up.

“Carlisle was a fantastic family club,” Westwood added. “I still have a lot of friends there – people who’ve played for both Sunderland and Carlisle.”

On his decision to move to the North East, Westwood said: It was a general feeling, really. I came up to have a look around and meet the manager and it felt fantastic.

“Now my immediate aim is to get a good pre-season under my belt. It’s a big part of things and it needs to be done.”