Sunderland have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Ukrainian striker Nazariy Rusyn
Sunderland are closing in on a deal for striker Nazariy Rusyn, according to reports in Ukraine. Journalist Igor Semyon has reported that Ukraine youth international Rusyn is waiting for a work permit before he can travel to Wearside for a medical.
Semyon reports that Zorya Luhansk manager Nenad Lalatovic said that the 24-year-old was left out of his squad for yesterday’s 1-1 draw against Mynai because the centre-forward is set to leave the club. Separately, Ukrainian outlet ua-football.com is reporting that Rusyn has agreed a contract with Sunderland.
Rusyn scored 13 goals in 30 games for Zorya last season, and also contributed three assists. He has scored one goal in two games this season.
Rusyn has been linked with Sunderland for a number of weeks as the Black Cats work to bring in attacking reinforcements. Sunderland missed out on signing Fulham’s Jay Stansfield on loan last week, and for the first time at the weekend head coach Tony Mowbray sounded unsure as to whether the club would bring in a striker before Friday’s transfer deadline – although he freely admits that he is not involved in the recruitment process on a day-to-day basis.
At present, summer arrival from Portugal Luis Hemir is Sunderland’s only fit, senior, striker as Ross Stewart and Eliezer Mayenda work their way back towards full fitness. Stewart has been out of action since rupturing his Achilles in January, while summer addition Mayenda picked up a hamstring strain in his first training session at the Academy of Light.
Stewart is expected to be step up his training in the next three weeks and play in a behind-closed-doors intra-squad friendly, with Mayenda set to return to training soon afterwards.
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