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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
Sunderland have completed the free signing of right-back Conor McLaughlin, which is surely the best news Luke O’Nien will get this summer.
What’s the story?
Sunderland confirmed the beginning of their summer business on Monday with a swoop for McLaughlin, who was a free agent after his release from Millwall.
The Northern Echo claimed multiple clubs had approached the defender and offered him a deal, but clearly the Black Cats have now won the race.
The 27 year-old made 37 appearances in two seasons at The Den, scoring once, and there’s one very crucial reason why signing a right-back was an excellent decision from the club.
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Big boost for O’Nien
McLaughlin has struggled to make an impact at Millwall, rarely forcing his way into Neil Harris’ plans and making just 11 total appearances last season.
Before that though, he spent five years with Fleetwood, racking up nine goals and ten assists in a whopping 200 appearances for the club. He also has 34 Northern Ireland caps to his name.
It is clear then, that despite his recent struggles this is a right-back with bags of experience in the position, music to the ears of O’Nien, who was forced to make 29 appearances at right-back in the last campaign.
Adam Matthews left when his contract expired this summer, meaning O’Nien was the only remaining “right-back” in Jack Ross’ ranks, despite the little bundle of energy being much better in his natural spot in midfield.
McLaughlin will not set the world alight, but he will allow O’Nien to play in his natural position, which is surely the best thing Ross could possibly do for the 24 year-old’s development at this stage.
The Millwall man averaged an impressive 2.1 tackles per game in his limited time on the pitch last year, and if he both improves the stability of the defence and allows O’Nien to flourish further up the pitch then he will turn out to be an excellent free signing.