Alex Pritchard has signed a long-term deal at Birmingham City on transfer deadline day
Kristjaan Speakman expressed Sunderland’s goodwill towards Alex Pritchard as the prolonged uncertainty surrounding his future concluded on deadline day.
Birmingham City has acquired the 30-year-old attacking midfielder for an undisclosed fee, securing his services on a two-and-a-half-year contract. Pritchard will reunite with former manager Tony Mowbray, with both set to face Sunderland on February 17th.
Pritchard’s fate had been uncertain since the club decided against offering him a new long-term contract last summer. Sunderland presented a one-year extension to his existing deal last week, prompting Pritchard to express his desire to explore more favorable and lengthier offers elsewhere.
Concerned about losing him to a Championship competitor for free, Sunderland engaged in a standoff that led to Pritchard withdrawing from consideration for selection for Stoke City’s match at the Stadium of Light.
Subsequently, Birmingham solidified their interest, leading to an agreement among all parties, satisfying Speakman, who wished Pritchard success in his future endeavors. Speakman acknowledged Pritchard’s role in the club’s ascent from League One to contention in the Championship playoffs.
“First and foremost, we thank Alex for the contribution he has made to Sunderland AFC,” he added.
“He played a vital role in our promotion from League One and has been a key member of our Championship squad, and I’m confident our fans will remember him fondly. Transfer windows are difficult times for everyone involved, therefore we are glad to have found an appropriate resolution for both the club and Alex, who leaves with our best regards.”
Last weekend, Mowbray expressed his intention in implementing his possession-based style to his new club, saying, “What I do know is Alex Pritchard is a player with personality and character, wonderful ball manipulation, and great dead ball skills.” We shall wait and watch how things progress. He is not our player, and I suppose I shouldn’t be talking about him, but we’ll see how things go over the next four or five days.”
Sunderland are likely to announce the acquisition of Romain Mundle later today, a former Spurs prospect who can play on either flank.
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