Socceroos defender Bailey Wright has moved to League One powerhouses Sunderland on loan for the rest of the season.
Wright has joined the Black Cats from parent club Bristol City.
“I’m delighted to be here and I’m looking forward to getting to work," Wright told Sunderland's official website.
“I’ve played League One football before and I’ve been promoted, so I understand the qualities required to succeed at this level. I’ve had a few chats with the manager, and I want to be a part of what he’s building.
“What that manager is building here excites me and it’s something I want to be a part of.
“People in the area live and breathe football. For me, that will be amazing to play in front of every week."
The powerful defender, who is club captain of the Robins, has been restricted to just three appearances so far this season in an injury-riddled campaign.
Unable to force his way back into the first-team plans of coach Lee Johnson, Wright has opted to move to Sunderland to get more game time ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers and June’s 2020 Copa America.
“I hold Bailey Wright in the highest regard as a man, a professional and a footballer,” Johnson said on the Robins’ official website.
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“After his injury, minutes have been hard to come by and we feel this is the right move for him and Bristol City to go and play football at a fantastic club in Sunderland.”
Wright has made 83 appearances for City since joining them from Preston North End in 2017.
Capped 24 times by Australia, Wright was part of the Socceroos’ 23-man squads for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Sunderland are currently sixth in League One as they chase promotion back to the Championship for next season.
Wright could make his debut as early as this Saturday (AEDT) when the Black Cats host Doncaster Rovers at the Stadium of Light.
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