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TEEMU TAINIO
STEED MALBRANQUE
STEED MALBRANQUE
play anywhere across the back line and
that will be invaluable to us" pointed
out Roy Keane after Chimbonda
arrived for an undisclosed fee.
Guadeloupe born, Chimbonda played
in France for Le Havre and Bastia before
moving to Wigan in 2005. Sunderland
were the opponents on only his third
Premier League appearance when he
was already catching the eye as an
outstanding performer and he was to
miss only one league game as Wigan
finished tenth and reached the League
Cup final after winning promotion. A
£4.5m move to Spurs two summers
ago was a big success as he made
97 competitive appearances for the
Londoners in just two seasons again
helping his side to the League Cup final.
TEEMU
TAINIO
The accomplished 28 year old Finland
international was Sunderland's first
signing of the close season and
made his bow in impressive fashion
against Cobh Ramblers last Monday
when he played as the anchorman
of a five man midfield tackling and
intercepting well and always looking
to use the ball positively, not least
when starting the move that led to
Daryl Murphy's third minute opener.
Tainio is a versatile midfielder who
has spent the last three seasons at
White Hart Lane having previously
enjoyed eight campaigns in France
with Auxerre following two seasons
in his home country with FC Haka.
Capped 43 times by Finland and
with a stack of European experience,
Tainio is one of Sunderland's
signings designed to help the club
feel at ease In with the big boys.
Malbranque is the sort of player
Sunderland supporters are likely
to love. He's a classy midfielder
with a sure touch, the ability to
get goals and an eye for the sort
of pass strikers want to receive.
He played in all but two of
Tottenham's 57 games last season
including the League Cup final.
Delighted with another high calibre
signing Roy Keane commented:
"He's played in the Premier League
for six or seven years now and has
been a consistent performer for both
Tottenham and Fulham - he creates a
lot for the team and can chip in with a
goal or two. Steed is a very tricky player
and is always looking for the ball and
looking to open teams up. He'll certainly
offer something different to our team
and will further increase competition
for places in the midfield area."
28 year old Malbranque spent
four years in France with Lyon before
being brought to England by former
Fulham boss and French midfield
legend Jean Tigana in 2001. 44 goals
came Steed's way in 211 games for
the Cottagers before a move to
Spurs two years ago since when he's
netted a dozen times in just under
100 games. A player of great talent he
is as pleased to be at Sunderland as
Sunderland are to have him and says
of his chat with his new manager: "He
wants to win something and to bring
something very good to the club. It's
a big challenge for him and for me."
