Sunderland manager Steve Bruce today completed a major transfer coup when he snapped up teenage Ipswich Town striker Connor Wickham.

The 18-year-old headed for Wearside last night to undergo a medical after the Black Cats' offer of £8.1million, potentially rising to £12million, was accepted.

Talks over a four-year contract have now been concluded, with Bruce having got his man after striking decisively to land the in-demand player.

He's a great prospect and I'm sure our supporters will love watching him play.
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce on Connor Wickham

Bruce said: "A number of top sides have been chasing Connor for some time now, so naturally we are absolutely delighted he has chosen to come to Sunderland.

"He's still very young, but at 6ft 3in he's a physical presence. With his height and style of play, he will offer us a threat in front of goal and complement our existing strikers.

"We have been watching him for a while now and he is improving and developing all the time. He's a great prospect and I'm sure our supporters will love watching him play."

The Hereford-born England U-21 international emerged from the ranks at Portman Road to establish himself in the first team, scoring nine Championship goals last season.