Done Deal: Sotirios Kyrgiakos Joins Sunderland On Loan

Defensive reinforcements seem to be all the rage eh? Wayne Bridge and now Sebastien Chabal's anorexic brother from another mother, Sotirios Kyrgiakos has been added to the mix on a loan deal until the end of the season from VFL Wolfsburg.

The centre half is pretty well travelled, and much like Bridge, he arrives at the club with something to prove having been labelled as rubbish by many who probably barely watched him during his Liverpool days, and certainly haven't since. Worth noting he captained The Reds on a few occasions in that time, and Rafa Benitez spent time comparing him to Sami Hyypia, who was a fine defender.

Martin O'Neill said upon signing the big Greek "he offers a real physical presence"... which can't really be argued.

Since leaving Merseyside for Wolfsburg last season he's barely been a fixture, and only notched up seven appearances with no goals.

The news was broken by Greek website "OnSports" who claimed earlier today that he had verbally agreed to join Sunderland on a 6-month loan deal, before it was picked up more widely elsewhere.

For Kyrgiakos you could basically read all thoughts on Wayne Bridge. He's here, he's got something to prove, he's got a good pedigree but appears to have waned as of late. It's far from ideal, and in no way is he the long term answer, but if Wes Brown and Titus Bramble are out for extended periods, what harm can it do? Especially as Michael Turner hasn't had a decent run without injury for a while and beyond him we're down to the bare bones.

I for one welcome him to the club, there's nothing to lose from the deal, and will help us out of a very difficult pickle. Again, trust in O'Neill to do the right thing.

Welcome to Wearside Sotirios, you massive Viking looking bugger.

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