Despite having started the season as the undisputed Sunderland number one, Costel Pantilimon suddenly found himself displaced and after joining Watford this week he has been quick to call the move the 'best option' for him. He penned a three and a half year deal with the midtable side, and will now challenge Heurelho Gomes for the number one jersey.
Pantilimon loss cuts the Sunderland wage bill
Having lost his place firstly to Vito Mannone and latterly Jordan Pickford in recent weeks, the Romanian's days on Wearside appeared numbered as he found himself third-choice. Despite interest from Espanyol, he jumped at the chance to join the Hornets.
He spoke of his admiration for the 'management' and of the 'players,' joining the likes of Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney, who have enjoyed a brilliant start to their Premier League careers. Pantilimon continued by praising the team's performance in their first year back in the league, and 'hoped' he would bring a 'good goalkeeper' and that he could 'help the team' reach their goals.
Pantilimon joined Sunderland in 2014, initially as second-choice to the Player of the Year for 2013/14, Mannone, but a string of poor performances from the Italian gave him his chance. He grabbed it with both hands and remained the number one for the rest of the season and most of this one.
Pantilimon knows he faces a struggle for number one
But, with Gomes currently the number one at Watford and playing very well, Pantilimon knows he has another fight on his hands to make the team. He commented that Gomes was a 'very good goalkeeper' and acknowledged that it was only normal to have to 'fight' for your position.
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Sunderland, meanwhile, have brought in Steve Harper to replace Pantilimon as third-choice, having severly cut their wage-bill.