Cats’ striker snatch

Wednesday, 29/06/2011

Sunderland have won the race for teenage strike sensation Connor Wickham.

The Black Cats are believed to have agreed a fee in excess of £8m which could reach in excess of £12m depending on appearances and progress of the youngster.

Wickham, who has been a target of a number of clubs, including Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal, has agreed a four-year deal.

The England Under-21 forward will link up at the Stadium of Light with Sunderland's record buy, £13m Asamoah Gyan.

Wickham, 18, had agreed a deal at Portman Road until 2014 but now looks set to leave the club where he made his first-team debut just 11 days after his 16th birthday.

The deal is a record for Ipswich who have already bought Cardiff's former Newcastle striker Michael Chopra.

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