Sunderland have recently announced that they have completed a deal to sign Alex Pritchard, following his release from Huddersfield Town.

What's the story?

Pritchard had been with the Terriers, and went on to make 83 appearances in total for the Yorkshire-based side, having spent the earlier years of his career with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City.

But Pritchard struggled to make a notable impact with Carlos Corberan's side in the 2020/21 season, with the midfielder making just 19 appearances, and not registering a single goal or assist in that campaign, which doesn't make for the best of reading.

He'll be hoping that he can recapture his best form with Sunderland next term, with the new season set to get underway in under a month's time.

Fans will be buzzing

The 28-year-old has impressed with the likes of Brentford and Swindon Town earlier in his time in professional football, and the Stadium of Light faithful will be eager to see the midfielder make a positive start with Lee Johnson's side.

Pritchard was previously highly-regarded by former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino, according to Football Insider, whilst he was with the Premier League side, and set to undergo a medical with West Brom earlier in his career.

Sunderland have been somewhat of a 'sleeping giant' for far too long now, with Lee Johnson's side preparing for yet another season in the third tier of English football.

The Black Cats finished fourth in League One last term, but their hopes of promotion were dashed as they were beaten by Lincoln City in their play-off semi-final.

But they seem to be wasting no time in preparing for the new league campaign, with Pritchard joining Aiden McGeady in signing for Sunderland, as they target promotion back into the Championship in the 2021/22 season.

Sunderland are set to take on Wigan Athletic in their first League One match of the 2021/22 season, in what is likely to be a tricky test against the Latics at the DW Stadium. But with players with like Pritchard in their team for the new campaign, you wouldn't put it past Sunderland to finally win promotion into the Championship this term.

Pritchard clearly has something about him if he's been on the books with Spurs earlier in his career, but it's vital that he hits the ground running at the Stadium of Light, otherwise it could turn out to be a similar story to his time with Huddersfield Town, which never really took off for one reason or another.

But, given his wealth of experience, and the fact Sunderland have clinched another new signing in this summer transfer window, fans of the club are sure to be buzzing.