Arsenal Transfer News: Sunderland Land Nicklas Bendtner On Loan

Sunderland have concluded their summer transfer activity by bringing in Arsenal‘s want-away striker Nicklas Bendtner on loan.

Bendtner was linked with a move to various clubs all over Europe before finally settling in at Steve Bruce’s Sunderland. A statement on the Black Cats’ website read:

“Sunderland have completed the signing of Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner on a season-long loan deal.

The Danish international joins up with Black Cats manager Steve Bruce for the second time after spending the 2006-07 campaign under Bruce at Birmingham City, where he scored 13 goals in 48 appearances as a teenager.

The 23-year-old, who made his debut for parent club Arsenal at the Stadium of Light in 2005, is Sunderland’s third attacking signing of the summer following the arrivals of Korean international Ji Dong-won and England Under-21 international Connor Wickham, further boosting Bruce’s striking options.”

Bendtner joined Arsenal in 2004 and progressed through the reserves to make his first team debut against Sunderland on 25 October,2005. Bendtner has featured in 157 competitive fixtures for Arsenal, scoring 45 goals and raking up 19 assists for the North London club over a period of 6 years.

Steve Bruce expressed his delight on the arrival and said:

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Nicklas previously. I had him as an 18-year-old and he helped clinch promotion for Birmingham. He’s an outstanding talent and is a big, physical presence who will lead the line magnificently for us.”