Sunderland sign Colombian International Ian Poveda

Sunderland have signed Colombian international Ian Poveda on a three-year contract, with an option for an additional year.

The 24-year-old attacker joins the club following his departure from Leeds United, where he played in both the Premier League and the Sky Bet Championship over a four-year period.

Poveda, who has two senior caps for Colombia, expressed his enthusiasm about the move, stating, "All I want to do is get on the pitch and play for Sunderland. The support I've received from the club and the fans is indescribable. I’m a creative player who loves taking on opponents and I'm ready to work hard for the team."

Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman highlighted Poveda's strengths, noting, "Ian is strong in one-on-one situations and has the acceleration to change the tempo of our play. His ability to play in various attacking positions will be a valuable asset to us. We are confident we can provide the platform he needs to develop the next stage of his career."

Poveda's journey in football began in Southwark, London, and saw him play for youth teams at Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona, Brentford, and Manchester City.

He made his senior debut for City under Pep Guardiola during the 2018-19 Carabao Cup semi-finals.

In January 2020, Poveda moved to Leeds United, where he contributed to their promotion to the Premier League.

During his time at Leeds, Poveda made 14 Premier League appearances and had loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool. Last season, he played 17 times in the Championship, initially with Leeds before moving to Sheffield Wednesday in January.