Vito Mannone has today completed his move to Sunderland for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £2million. As Fresh Arsenal reported last week, the Italian keeper leaves after 8 years at the club.
Mannone told the Sunderland website: “The potential [of the club] is incredible, I have come from a big club but to be honest I don’t see any difference in the facilities. From what I can see on my first day they are brilliant. To have good facilities where you can work and improve is something every club wants to achieve.”
He added: “I waited a long time for an opportunity like Sunderland, and for me it is a great one. I’m very excited. I am here to work hard and to show what I can do.”
Mannone is set to battle Keiren Westwood for the number 1 spot at the club, but he says he relishes the competition:
“Of course, every player knows they have competition, we live in a world of competition. I will work and do my best to be in the first eleven, and then the manager will decide. All I can do is try to show what I am capable of.”
The Italian had only good words to say about his former club:
“I had a great experience at Arsenal – it was a good learning curve for me, I was really young when I joined them and straight away I was with the first team in pre-season back in 2005. Then I went through all the steps – under-18s, reserves – before reaching the first team. It has been a great experience, even I was probably a bit restricted in terms of opportunities. I learned a lot.”
All of us at Fresh Arsenal wish Vito all the best at Sunderland (except for when they play us obviously).