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First the dive…

…then the penalty save.

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Last Season

Sunderland’s season was truly a story of two halves.

New signings Bolo Zenden, Titus Bramble and Asamoah Gyan has bedded in well, while the acquisition of Frazier Campbell and the loan deal for Danny Welbeck gave the Black Cats and exciting attacking option.

Manager Steve Bruce had carved out a reputation for his team as being very tough to beat, summed up in draws with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

The highlight of the season was the 3-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge that had fans calling for Europe.

The undoubted low the 5-1 humiliation at the hands of neighbours and arch-rivals Newcastle United.

In January, the club was riding high in sixth place and fans were looking up towards Europe and maybe an outside chance of Champions League football (they were only six points off fourth after 21 games).

But then came the turning point of the season. Darren Bent, out of the blue, submitted a transfer request amid reports of a bid of £18million from Aston Villa.

The deal was completed, which could eventually rise to £24million, and Sunderland’s hopes were turned on their heads.

A shocking injury list put the Wearsiders on a run of 10 points from their final 14 games – with six coming from the last three matches.

This left Black cat fans not looking up but fearing what was beneath them.

Relegation soon became a serious proposition with sides below picking up points.

But thanks to their rally at the end, Sunderland finished in a very respectable 10th place but Bruce knew he had major re-building work to do this summer.

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Sunderland have continued their summer spending spree by signing free-agent duo Sebastian Larsson and Keiren Westwood.

Following the expiration of their contracts today, the club have now confirmed the [air will be playing football at the Stadium of Light next season.

Larsson and Westwood join Ahmed Elmohamady, Connor Wickham, Craig Gardner and Ji Dong-Won as manager Steve Bruce rebuilds his squad.

Larsson, 26, has signed a three-year contract to join up with Bruce again after they worked together at Birmingham City.

Bruce signed the former Arsenal trainee for the Blues for £1million in January 2007 after a successful loan spell, and he went on to make 170 appearances.

“Seb was a fantastic young player for me at Birmingham and he has matured into a very good midfielder,” Bruce said.

“He has been courted by a number of top clubs over the summer – both in England and across Europe – so we are naturally delighted that he has chosen to come to Sunderland.”

Westwood, 26, has also signed a three-year deal and will battle for a place in the starting XI alongside Simon Mignolet, while Craig Gordon recovers from a knee injury.

Westwood began at Manchester City, but established himself as a top goalkeeper at Carlisle making more than 130 league appearances before winning a £500,000 move to Coventry in June 2008.

“Keiren has proven to be an exceptional goalkeeper both in the Championship and at international level and he has certainly been one of the best in this country outside of the Premier League in recent seasons,” Bruce added.

“We are obviously delighted that Keiren sees his future here at Sunderland, and we are looking forward to him joining what is a talented group of goalkeepers at the club.”

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Ipswich Town striker Connor Wickham will reject any move to Sunderland because he is holding out for a move to Liverpool or Arsenal.

The 18-year-old is currently the subject of an £8million approach from the Black Cats, but would prefer signing for the Reds, as he was a boyhood fan, or the Gunners,who have a history of nurturing young talent.

The England U21 international has impressed for both club and country this season and has been on the radar of Premier League clubs for the last two years, according to the Metro.

But Wickham’s preference of a move will not deter Sunderland boss Steve Bruce who is searching for a striker to replace Darren Bent who moved to Aston Villa in January.

Ipswich manager Paul Jewell expects a lot of interest in his teenage hit-man over the summer but insists the club is under no pressure to sell as Wickham only signed a new deal to keep him at the club until 2014 in April.

Meanwhile, Birmingham City midfielder Sebastian Larsson arrived on Wearside to complete a medical ahead of his free transfer to Sunderland.

The Swedish international has agreed to join Bruce’s men, and despite interest from the Liverpool, Aston Villa and Blackburn, will be unveiled at the Stadium of Light on July 1.

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Sunderland are on the verge of completing another summer signing as Birmingham City winger Sebastian Larsson is discussing personal with the Black Cats.

The 26-year-old’s contract with the Blues expires on June 30 and the winger has travelled to Wearside to undergo a medical and thrash out a new deal.

It was rumoured new Aston Villa boss Alex Mcleish was ready to hi-jack the move and take the Sweden international, who scored four goals and created six assists in 35 appearances last season, to Villa Park.

The Sunderland boss Steve Bruce seems to won the race to sign Larsson, who also attracted interest from Newcastle United, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Bruce is also after Coventry goalkeeper Keiren Westwood, another free agent, and has completed the signing of Chunnam Dragons forward Ji Dong-Won for £3.1million.

But reports of Sunderland making an £8million offer for Ipswich Town starlet Connor Wickham are wide of the mark.

The Black Cats do have an interest in the player, who has also been linked with Liverpool, but they insist they have not yet made a formal offer.

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Free-agent Sebastian Larsson has become a major target for Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish.

The Birmingham City winger’s contract expires this month and he is free to discuss new terms with other parties.

Sunderland, Aston Villa and Everton are all keen on the Swedish international but Liverpool is a more attractive offer for him.

The 25-year-old could be the key to Dalglish’s search for genuine wide-men to help improve his squad.

The Scot has been left frustrated by many potential signings and is fast running out of options.

Dalglish has enquired about Aston Villa’s Ashley Young and Stewart Downing but face strong competition from Manchester United and Arsenal respectively.

Other options have included Wolves’ Matt Jarvis, Sevilla’s Jesus Navas and Lille flyer Eden Hazard.

He appears to be in pole position to sign Larsson, who likes Liverpool’s history and potential to break back into the Champions League spots.

Being available on a Bosman is also tempting for Dalglish as there will be minimum risk attributed to his acquisition.

“Seb has a few offers from some good clubs that we are looking into at the moment,” his agent Per Jonsson told the Sunderland Echo.

‘By the first or second week in June, everything should be sorted out. Four clubs from the Premier League have made approaches.

“There is no problem finding a club in this case. The problem is sorting out which club it is.”

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Birmingham City winger Sebastian Larsson has left the club on a free and is now the target of Newcastle United and Liverpool.

The 25-year-old’s contract has expired at St Andrew’s and he is free to talk to other clubs over a move.

The Sweden international  held unsuccessful talks with manager Alex Mcleish but no deal could be agreed.

Larsson came close to signing for Newcastle in January after handing in a transfer request but Birmingham decided to keep the wide-man until the end of the season.

Toon boss Alan Pardew is still keen on the former Arsenal star and would love to bring him to St James’.

But Liverpool have now entered the race for Larsson as Reds’ manager Kenny Dalglish is desperate to sign a winger and has grown frustrated in his efforts thus far.

Other clubs including Sunderland and Stoke City are said to be monitoring the situation.

Larsson’s exit signals an exodus from the Birmingham playing staff. Alexander Hleb, David Bentley, Obafemi Martins and Matt Derbyshire have already left following their loan deals expiring.

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With the Premier League season drawing to a close, managers are turning half an eye onto the transfer market and will be keen to snap up any deals.

Here at COS we thought they could do with a hand and highlighted 12 of the best bargain buys around.

However no list of the best free agents in England would be complete without a guess where they will be going.

Michael Owen

Injuries, and the emergence of Javier Hernandez, has seen Owen’s appearances restricted to seven games and only one goal this season. His short-term contract shows he would not have a long future at Old Trafford. United fans will be forever grateful for him scoring the winner in 4-3 victory over Manchester City.

Destination: Aston Villa

Sebastian Larsson

Since joining from Arsenal, Larsson has scored spectacular goals for Birmingham City and helped them to win the Carling Cup this season over his former side. If the Swede can ensure Alex McLeish’s side stay up  he will have done exactly what his manager has asked of him. Needs to prove himself on a European stage but may have to gamble to get their.

Destination: Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers

Owen Hargreaves

Has never fully recovered from a recurring patellar tendinitis problem. This may put off potential suitors. But as he is out of contract he may be worth a gamble. There are rumours Sir Alex Ferguson is contemplating a pay as you play contract for him and if the England international is good enough for the Scot, others are sure to want him.

Destination: Manchester United, Tottenham

Nigel Reo-coker

After his career stalled under Martin O’Neill at Villa Park, Reo-Coker has reestablished himself under Gerard Houllier. But injuries have restricted his game time this season. But Houllier has refused to open contract talks with any player until safety is guaranteed but Reo-Coker’s agent has already said there is interest in his client from abroad.

Destination: Sevilla, Real Sociedad

Paul Scholes

The inspirational Scholes is nearing the end of his career but that has not stopped Ferguson from offering the veteran a new deal. The only problem is does he have the desire to carry on. Edwin van der Sar and Gary Neville have already gone to the pensioner’s home, and with Ryan Giggs not far behind. Perhaps Scholes sees it as time for new blood to take over.

Destination: Manchester United, retirement

Johan Elmander

The tall Swede has enjoyed his most successful season to date in England and itis unlikely to be his last. Newcastle made attempted to sign him in January after the loss of Andy Carroll to Liverpool and are likely to make another bid to sign him. Bolton manager Owen Coyle does not want to lose Elmander but he may have no choice.

Destination: Newcastle United

James McFadden

The Scotland international has helped Alex McLeish establish Birmingham City as a major Premier League side. But injuries have disrupted his season and he has seen himself dropped down the pecking order. A move back to Scotland is most likely but at 27 he is in his prime and would be a top addition to most squads.

Destination: Glasgow Rangers, Bolton Wanderers

Thomas Sorensen

The arrival of Asmir Begovic has seen the Dane become the number two at the Britannia Stadium. He was heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich last year and that deal could be resurrected. Sorensen would prefer to stay in this country and Harry Redknapp is on the search for a replacement for Carlo Cudicini.

Destination: Bayern Munich, Tottenham Hotspur

Jonathan Woodgate

The much-travelled defender could be on his way again this summer. Yet mnore injuries have disrupted his time at White Hart Lane. He is still a class performer when fit but any manager would have to take a gamble on his fitness. Scottish clubs are keeping an eye on him but a move to his former club could also be on the cards.

Destination: Glasgow Rangers, Newcastle United, Leeds United

Matthew Gilks

His injury problems have coincided with Blackpool’s descent down the Premier League. The Scotsman was attracting a lot of interest pre-injury and earned himself a call-up to the national squad. Needs to prove himself in the run-in to secure a deal at a top club, but will not be short of offers in the summer.

Destination: Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers

Robert Green

A year ago, he was his country’s number one in the World Cup. Now he is looking out for a new club. He has recovered well from his nightmare in South Africa. To regain his national place he would probably have to be playing European football but the top team’s in England are not looking for a goalkeeper. (nb he’s too English for Arsenal).

Destination: Aston Villa, Celtic

Matthew Upson

West Ham’s stalwart over the last few years could be heading out of East London. The Upton Park board have repeatedly refused to cash in on him and now he can leave on a free. He may be offered a new deal if they stay up, but his agent is already scouting out new clubs. Could be tempted by a move north of the border.

Destination: Tottenham, West Bromwich Albion, Celtic

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Birmingham City midfielder Sebastian Larsson will wait until the summer to decide his future.

The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and will not be short on offers.

There were rumours linking Larsson with a move to Newcastle United or Blackburn Rovers in January but Birmingham decided to keep him.

Manchester City were supposedly interested too but nothing ever materialised.

Larsson insists he is fully committed to ensuring Birmingham stay in the Premier League after helping the Midlands side win the Carling Cup.

“Birmingham chose to keep me (in January) and that’s where we are today,” he told Aftonbladet.

“But with my contract expiring, there are possibilities to play anywhere so it remains to be seen.”

“I don’t think I will make a decision before the end of the season.”

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Manchester City Football Club are set to land Sebastian Larsson in a shock deadline day move.

The Sweden international is currently plying his trade with Birmingham City, but his contract is due to expire at the end of the season.

However, Dan Roan from the BBC claims City are set to land Larsson on loan for the rest of the season, after they agreed an undisclosed fee with the St Andrews club for the deal.

SOURCE: Fans FC

Of course everyone associates Manchester City with big money swoops so this intelligent St Andrews’ raid will not have been seen on the horizon but does show that Roberto Mancini is able to spot a bargain in amongst his pursuits of mega money signings.

Swedish international Larsson was strongly linked with a move to Newcastle United and Aston Villa but appears to have opted for a long deal at Eastlands that he will hope can lead to a permanent deal in the summer.

The move for the 25 year old former Arsenal man was probably spurred on by the injury suffered by England international Adam Johnson.

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