Keane: Gordon a massive asset Sunderland manager Roy Keane has expressed delight at finally signing Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon.
The Black Cats have put the finishing touches on a deal that could rise to £9million, potentially making Gordon the most expensive British goalkeeper in history.
"I'm delighted that we've managed to sign Craig," Keane told Sunderland's official website. "He's a top goalkeeper and he'll be a massive asset to us over the next few years. We've already got two very good goalkeepers and Craig is a big signing for Sunderland."
fanatical support
Gordon, who will cost an initial £7million, admitted the prospect of Barclays Premier League football was too good to resist.
"I could not turn down a chance to play in the English Premier League," he told the Hearts website. "It is a massive opportunity to me. I have always said I wanted to try the Premier League at some point.
"Sunderland is an ambitious club with a fanatical support and I think that is something similar to what we have at Hearts. The fans are fanatical about their club."
Keane admitted that the Scotland international is suffering from a shoulder injury which may keep him out of Saturday's Barclays Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur.
"We've two other good goalkeepers, which adds competition, and you can't beat competition for places," he added. "The number one jersey was available, and obviously Craig is going to wear that. But we'll see how it goes over the next few days because I think he has had a slight shoulder problem, so it's touch and go."