Sunderland's latest signing, Mika has said that he is determined to battle youngster, Jordan Pickford for the no. one jersey after finally securing his move to Wearside.
Delighted to finally be here
The Portuguese 'keeper known to many as Mika, finally completed his move to Wearside on a two-year deal after complications prevented it been completed on transfer deadline day.
However FIFA have approved the move, and the 25-year-old could be thrown straight in as David Moyes welcomes his former club, Everton to the North East on Monday.
Mika became Moyes' tenth signing of the summer, and was brought into keep pressure on youngster Pickford, who has become first-choice after the long-term injury to Vito Mannone. The Portuguese shared his delight at the move to the English top flight. “This is a very big opportunity for me and my future," he told safc.com.
Mika added, “This is a great opportunity to play in this league for this club in front of these fans."
The new Stadium of Light stopper couldn't hide his delight, “It's the dream of all players to play in England, for me this is the best day of my life. It’s a very good move for me."
He was firmly adamant that, "I’m a hard-worker and I promise the fans of Sunderland that I will work hard to help the club to victories.”
Dangerous asset to have
Moyes is still searching for his first league win in charge of the Black Cats, and will hope that the man to deliver that will be star striker Jermain Defoe.
Last season's top scorer and player of the year has been at it again, with goals against Manchester City and Southampton, and opposition manager Ronald Koeman believes he is a very troublesome player to face. He said: “Defoe is very dangerous. He is always finding space with good movements."
Koeman explained, “If he has a chance, normally it’s a goal. We need to prepare for him because he is showing his productivity as a striker."
Sunderland AFC take on Everton at the Stadium of Light on Monday, September 12 with kick-off at 8pm BST.