Sunderland's new club-record signing, Didier Ndong has said that he is excited to play for the Black Cats after his £13.6million move from Lorient.

Excited to get started

It was clear to many that Sunderland still needed quite a few new faces as they entered the final day of the transfer window, and they put their money where their mouth is with the signing of the Gabonese international.

He was one of Moyes' eight signings of the summer - with Manchester City defender Jason Denayer following him later in the day - and has signed a five-year contract from the former club of current Sunderland defender, Lamine Kone.

The fee for the 22-year-old eclipses the sum paid for striker, Asamoah Gyan and he has shared his delight at making the move to Wearside.

He told safc.com, "I am very proud and happy to sign for Sunderland. This is a new adventure for me and to play in the Premier League is a dream come true."

Ndong continued, “Maybe the Sunderland fans don’t know me yet, but I promise that they will quickly discover that I will give everything for them and the club."

The midfielder was adamant that, "It will be an honour to wear the Sunderland shirt and I will wear it with a true understanding of what it means."

He exlained, “I am excited to meet everyone at the club, to see the stadium and of course the fans, who I have heard so many good things about,"

Ndong concluded, "Today is the most beautiful day of my life.”

Sunderland AFC target Mika Domingues in action for Boavista | Photo: Four Four Two
Sunderland AFC target Mika Domingues in action for Boavista | Photo: Four Four Two

Just missing out

Despite the signings, there aer still significant weaknesses in their side, with many believing that Moyes' side still lack a striker and a goalkeeper, but it certainly wasn't without trying.

The Black Cats came mighty close to sealing a deal for goalkeeper Mika Domingues, but a deal for the keeper broke down in the dying moments of the transfer window.

They wrote on Twitter: "Despite the best endeavors of both clubs, a deal has not been completed for the transfer of Mika Domingues from Boavista to Sunderland AFC."

Sunderland will take on Everton at the Stadium of Light on Monday, September 12 with kick-off at 8pm BST.

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About the author
Danial  Kennedy
Award-winning sports journalism graduate. Currently studying a PR Masters at the University of Sunderland. Writing for VAVEL since August 2014. Twitter - @ddkjournalism.