Sunderland completed the loan signing of Tottenham Hotspur and Austria defender Kevin Danso in the final days of the summer transfer window.
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Sunderland have made a ‘really astute signing’ by securing a season-long loan deal for Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Kevin Danso - according to a former Spurs defender.
The Austria international joined the North London club on an initial loan deal from French side Lens in February last year before that move was converted into a permanent switch just months later. Danso went on to make 36 appearances in all competitions during his first full season with Spurs and 26 of them came as part of their starting eleven as they struggled to impress in the Premier League and only secured their top flight status on the final day of the season.
Despite watching his old club struggle, former Spurs full-back Stephen Kelly was impressed with what he witnessed from Danso throughout a challenging season and he insisted Sunderland have made a shrewd addition to their ranks by agreeing a loan deal that could become a permanent signing at the end of the season.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, the former Republic of Ireland defender said: “Kevin Danso, for me, I thought for Spurs last season, and I’m heavily invested in them, he was one of the defenders that came out with a lot of credit for last season. I think that’s a really astute signing.”
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‘That gives the fans a lot of confidence’
Kelly believes one of Sunderland’s most important moves during the summer transfer window was not a new signing or a departure - but came with their successful bid to hold on to club captain and talisman Granit Xhaka. The Switzerland international was a somewhat surprise addition to Regis Le Bris’ squad last summer after he was tempted away from Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen. Xhaka went on to play an integral role in guiding Sunderland to a seventh place finish and qualification for the Europa League - and his performances attracted serious interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
The Blues are believed to have been unsuccessful with a number of offers for the Switzerland international during the summer transfer window - and Xhaka has got his head down and focused on impressing during his second season at the Stadium of Light. Kelly believes Sunderland’s ability to retain the midfielder’s services is a sign of strength and will make new signings ‘comfortable’ as they settle into life on Wearside.
He said: “Sometimes the best signings you can make are being able to hold on to your best players and for teams that can do that, I think it shows a strength. It also shows that the player is very much involved in what you’re thinking of going forward and that gives the fans a lot of confidence. I think if you’ve got a player [Xhaka] of this quality, he’s gone and had a wonderful World Cup as well, his energy, his experience, if you keep players like that in your squad and, not only that, but build on it, it makes everyone around it feel comfortable. The players that are signing are coming into this environment where he sets the tone and that’s really good.”