Sunderland have confirmed Dutchman Jenson Seelt as the club's fourth summer signing. The Black Cats have agreed a fee - reported to be potentially worth up to £1.7m with add-ons - with PSV Eindhoven for the 6ft 4in centre-back, and have also agreed personal terms with the player.
There was also reported interest in the 20-year-old from Burnley, but he has opted to join Sunderland and is now due to travel to Wearside this week to undergo a medical and finalise his move. Seelt made 33 appearances for Jong PSV - Eindhoven's reserve side - in the Eerste Divisie, the Dutch second tier, and scored four goals.
He was also named on the bench for PSV's first team on nine occasions, including in the league and in the Europa League, although he has yet to make his first-team debut. Seelt becomes the fourth new addition of the summer, following the arrivals of midfielder Jobe Bellingham from Birmingham City, striker Luis 'Hemir' Semedo from Portuguese club Benfica, and defender Nectarios Triantis from Australian side Central Coast Mariners.
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Sunderland were keen to add more defensive recruits over the summer after injuries to Danny Batth, Dan Ballard, and Aji Alese left them exposed last season, with the club finishing the season without any fit specialist senior centre-backs. They have now bolstered that position with the signings of Seelt and Triantis, while January addition from Everton Joe Anderson may also be considered ready for Championship duties next season.
Sunderland still have a number of other positions to strengthen, not least bringing in at least one more striker and also a defensive midfielder. But the signings the club has made so far have demonstrated that the club will continue with its policy of prioritising young players with the potential to develop and improve.
