Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson has been explaining to their official website why he signed former Millwall striker Aiden O’Brien today.
The 26-year-old signed a two-year deal with the Black Cats last week to become the first signing of the summer for the former Bolton boss. He came through the ranks at Millwall, playing 226 times for the Lions and bagging 44 goals.
In the earlier part of his career with Millwall, he enjoyed loan spells with Staines, Hayes, Crawley, Aldershot and Torquay, but the move to Sunderland is the first permanent switch he’s made in his career.
Former Bradford boss Parkinson is delighted to have got his man, not least because of his flexibility.
“We’re really pleased with the signing of Aiden,” Parkinson said.
“He’s a good age, he’s been promoted from League One before and he has experience playing Championship football. Aiden can play in a variety of attacking roles for us and that’s something I think is important, and we’re really looking forward to working with him.”
“He’s good at making runs in behind and stretching the opposition, and I think that’s something the squad needed. His hunger and desire to come and join us was key for me. I want players to come here for the right reasons and get ready to fight tooth and nail to help us have a great season.”
The forward’ arrival is one bit of good news for Sunderland fans, who have endured challenging times of late after falling into the third tier. The play-off failure under Jack Ross led to his dismissal, with Parkinson picking up the reins with little success last season.
As parachute payments have now ended for the club and the ownership is continually questioned, this could be a challenging season, which has even led to a couple of supporters bringing O’Brien’s flexibility back around to use as a weapon against Donald, as you’ll see below.
Have you had a go at our Sunderland quiz yet? Just identify these former stars.
| [freshpress-quiz id=”12827″] |
Knowing donald he has said well parky thats 3 players in one so you only need a couple more.
— Mark Bolton (@markbol1972) August 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/its3wan/status/1290704770601291780
It is, but if he's more effective up top why would u need to play him elsewhere
— Moose (@mooseySAFC) August 4, 2020
It’s called squad rotation, tactical flexibility. You can’t play the same way against every team every week
— David Hindmarsh (@DavidHindmarsh7) August 4, 2020
Fire Parkinson
— JimmyMackem (@JimmyMackem) August 4, 2020
Wey ya do if it works and your successful with it. Don't change what's not broke
— Moose (@mooseySAFC) August 5, 2020
Yes I think Parky is the right mam for the job. If he gets keeper, centre half and wingback cover we will be ok…embleton and other young uns will make up creativity in midfield. Hawaythelads!!