Everton have confirmed that forward Nathan Broadhead has joined Sunderland on loan for the rest of the season.
The ECHO reported on Monday morning that talks between the two clubs had been progressing over a deal for the Welsh youth international.
Sunderland boss Lee Johnson is believed to have identified a number of different attacking targets in the last few weeks, but Broadhead quickly became the club’s number one target.
And now a deal has been agreed that will see the forward head to the Stadium of Light for the remainder of the campaign.
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Broadhead made his Everton first team debut when he came off the bench in the Blues' 3-0 Europa League group stage win over Apollon Limassol back in December 2017.
The 23-year-old’s Premier League debut came in April of this year when he again came off the bench in Everton’s 0-0 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex.
The forward signed a new two-year contract with the club in the summer and was part of the squad that toured the US.
And Broadhead, who was on the bench for Saturday’s Premier League opener against Southampton, is looking forward to getting started at his new club.
He said: “It’s been a mad 48 hours from being on the bench for Everton to arriving in Sunderland, but I’m so happy to be here.
"I’ve had a good pre-season, training and playing for the first team and travelling with them to America, and I’m sure that will help me hit the ground running.
"It’s been a long time since I’ve played in front of fans due to the pandemic and Sunderland is a massive club, so I can’t wait to get out there.”
While Sunderland boss Johnson added on the transfer: “Whenever we bring a player in, we do so because we believe they will make us stronger and that’s absolutely the case with Nathan.
"It’s a coup because he’s had top level offers in Europe, and Championship offers as well, at what is a key stage of his career. He has the experience, technique and speed, and he just needs the vehicle to put that together.
"We believe that Sunderland is the perfect opportunity, as he will have the team, supply and service, and a PL environment around him, so it is a really good match.”
The Bangor-born Blues Academy graduate enjoyed a spell at Burton Albion during the 2019/20 season, where he scored three times in 22 appearances.
Johnson's side are currently two from two in League One, and Broadhead could make his debut against former club Burton at the Pirelli Stadium tomorrow night.
