“Top bit of business” – Sunderland fan pundit reacts to fresh agreement with 29-year-old | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Sunderland tied Bailey Wright down to a new two-year contract on Wednesday, to ensure that the centre back, who played a key role in the club’s promotion via the play-offs, stayed put to help the Black Cats step up to the Championship.

In Alex Neil, the Black Cats have bags of experience in the second tier, but there is not tonnes in the first team squad outsides of the likes of Alex Pritchard, Danny Batth and Wright.

The Aussie was in and out of the side in the Lee Johnson era on Wearside, but proved himself as a defender more than capable of playing at a higher level in the moments that counted at the back end of 2021/22.

FLW’s Sunderland fan pundit Jack Austwicke was delighted to see Wright sign fresh terms ahead of pre-season heating up in the coming weeks.

Speaking to Football League World, Austwicke said: “I think this is something that all Sunderland fans were longing for since probably the play-off final to be honest.

“His end of season form really showed that he’s a top level centre back and he’s definitely good enough to play for the club, he’s got Championship experience as we’ve seen before at Bristol City, so to get him tied down, especially with interest coming from the A-League, it’s another top bit of business from the club.

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“With (Lynden) Gooch, (Patrick) Roberts and Wright, three of last season’s standout performers all tied down on new deals, it’s a good way to start.

“We haven’t made nay new signings as of yet, but to get our core from last season tied down is really important going into next season.“