Sunderland 'Cana'

[Dutcho]

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has confirmed the £5million signing of midfielder Lorik Cana from Marseille on a four-year deal.

The Albanian international was the French outfit's captain and Bruce believes he has pulled off a major coup having beat off a number of top clubs to land the 25-year-old.

"I'm delighted to have brought Lorik to the club, especially given the number of clubs who had expressed an interest in signing him," Bruce told the club's official website.

"He brings with him a tremendous amount of experience both at club level and internationally and is a great addition to our squad.

"To captain a side of Marseille's stature says a lot about the player and his character, and I'm sure he'll go on to be a fantastic signing for Sunderland."

The defence-minded anchorman has previously had a spell at Paris St Germain while also accumulating 31 caps for his country.

He becomes Bruce's third signing since taking the reigns at the Stadium of Light in June.

 

[Dutcho]

LOL Someone else's spin on this


Goal.com's Marseille Expert Reflects On Lorik Cana's Sunderland Switch
The OM fanatic explains the new acquisition up north...
24 Jul 2009 22:12:39

Goal.com's resident Marseille expert and French editor took some time out of his schedule to reflect on Sunderland's shock signing of Lorik Cana.

In short: It is shameful and surprising on the part of Marseille that a player of his calibre has signed a low-cost deal to play for Sunderland.

Lorik Cana is an Albania international and has been Marseille's captain for two years. He arrived at Marseille in 2005 from PSG, and he quickly proved he had the mental and physical fortitude necessary to establish himself as a big time player for OM, and eventually became their skipper.

Cana has a tremendous motor and covers a lot of ground in the midfield area just in front of the back line. He is very good defensively and is a 'ball winner' in the middle of the park.

He might have struggled offensively under the tutelage of ex-coach Erik Gerets, who asked him to play like Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard. He does not score many goals but he seems to find the back of the net in big matches, as he did in his first OM - PSG clash at Stade Velodrome, when he scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory..

If Sunderland need a strong, hard working midfielder, who can recuperate the ball and pass it properly, then they have their man. He is not a creator but can make hit some long balls. He can also play as central defender, ashe did last year when Gael Givet and Ronald Zubar struggled. He is mentally strong and is a leader both on the pitch and in the locker room.

The city of Marseille is extremely surprised that Cana ended up signing for Sunderland. We knew that he wanted 'to find another challenge after four years at Marseille'. OM already bought Cameroon international Stephane M'Bia to replace Cana in the midfield. He was linked with Hamburg, Everton and Arsenal where he could have signed in 2000. So, it's not that he left that stunned us - but where he went to.

He chose to sign for a Sunderland side which, in my mind, is far from the highest level in England. Everton would have been better for him I think - a team always in 5th or 6th position in England just after the 'Big Four'. But we can't understand why he would leave OM, who are one of the most prestigious clubs in France, for Sunderland, an outfit who fought for Premier League survival on the last day of the campaign. A big club they may be, but surely he could have aimed higher.

The transfer fee is ridiculous, a measly €6 million. We might be able to find some of an explanation: OM did not stand in the way of Cana's transfer because the player was well-respected and a good leader. But OM know how to sell players, and had him valued at €12 million. So Sunderland got a great deal with this transfer - and OM a poor one.

At Marseille, we are used to seeing players leave the club for more money but at this price, it is like a joke. So, well done to Sunderland: they've got a great player at a knock-down price. For Marseille it was the wrong move: how it ends up for Cana remains to be seen.

 

[NL7]

dunno how good he is, never seen him play, but he is very highly rated in football manager so maybe goal.com's article is very much true...

 

[nohidingplace]

yous are still sh*te regardless who comes in Benfica taught yous that last night!