Leeds United goalkeeper Andy Lonergan has left Yorkshire and has travelled to Sunderland to undergo a medical, according to Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Phil Hay.
The reliable journalist claimed on his personal Twitter account on Tuesday night that Lonergan, 34, is due to put the final touches to his move to the Stadium of Light on Wednesday morning after he decided to quit Leeds.
Lonergan travelling up to Sunderland tonight. Medical in the morning.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) January 30, 2018
Lonergan was only signed in the summer by Thomas Christiansen to serve as back-up to Felix Wiedwald.
The Yorkshire Evening Post now reports that the former Wolves and Preston shot-stopper is due to pen an 18-month deal with Sunderland after he asked to leave Elland Road.
The fringe player has only made nine appearances in all competitions for Leeds and when he had the chance to impress ahead of Wiedwald, he simply failed to deliver.
He is yet another fringe player to leave the Whites this month after Mateusz Klich and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson.
Good move for Leeds?
Not at all. It does not look as though the Whites have enough time to find a replacement for Lonergan and it seems that Bailey Peacock-Farrell will have to be promoted to be second choice goalkeeper to Wiedwald for the rest of the season. Lonergan is not great, but he is heads and shoulders above the youngster, whose most recent senior football came in National League North – the sixth tier of English football – with York City. Christiansen and Victor Orta may be dropping a huge blunder by allowing Lonergan to leave.
This is Futbol rating 2/10
Likely to happen?
As Lonergan travelled to Sunderland over night, it seems that his move is likely to be sealed before 11pm on Wednesday. Christiansen has also confirmed that he will leave Elland Road, so all that seems left are the formalities before Chris Coleman welcomes a new face to his Black Cats squad as they look to avoid relegation.
This is Futbol rating 10/10