Ellis Simms has revealed that Nathan Broadhead encouraged him to sign up to Sunderland's Championship campaign. The Black Cats confirmed this morning that they had signed the Everton striker on a season-long loan deal, with the 21-year-old brought in as competition and cover for last season's top scorer Ross Stewart.
Last term Simms' Everton teammate Broadhea d was on loan with Sunderland and he was a big hit on Wearside, with the club keen to bring him back this season but as yet nothing has been agreed. However Simms has made the move, and says Broadhead's recommendation played a part in his decision.
"I spoke a bit to Nathan Broadhead, who was here last year," said Simms, who spent the second half of last season at Scottish Premiership club Hearts. "He had positive things to say about the place, and he said 'just do your thing and enjoy it'.
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"It was nice to have people that I could talk to and speak about their past experiences."
Simms had several clubs chasing his signature, with Blackpool - where he spent a loan spell the season before last - Huddersfield, and Millwall amongst those showing interest. He said: "There were a few options but as soon as Sunderland showed their interest, I just knew it would be a great environment for me to continue my development and a good platform for me to show what I can do.
"It's a big club, the fans are great, so this is a great opportunity for me. It feels great to be here. It's such a massive club, so I'm just delighted to be here and to get started, really.
"This is the next step up for me. I've played in League One, the SPL, and now the Championship.
"It's a tough league but I feel that I am more than ready to step up and play here."
Simms admits he struggled for gametime during Everton's pre-season, but at Sunderland he will be expected to become a key player in the club's league campaign. He said: "Pre-season has been tough. In general, pre-season is hard, but I've been getting through it and I feel like I am ready to go.
"It's been difficult in terms of gametime, but each day I've been training hard and getting my fitness. I'm ready to go.
"I notice that here it's quite a young squad and the young players are getting opportunities, so it will be quite easy for me to fit in. I was looking at Sunderland and I thought it would be a great fit for me."
Simms has trained with Sunderland for the last two days and he is set to go straight into the squad for Sunday's season opener against Coventry City at the Stadium of Light. He finished last season with seven goals in 20 games in all competitions for Hearts, and wants to continue that goalscoring form with the Black Cats.
"I want to carry on where I left off, really, because I felt that I ended the season quite well," he said. "It's just about continuing that, getting my form back, and enjoying playing and working hard and seeing where it takes me."
Of his playing style, he added: "I like to run in behind and stretch the play, but I can also hold the ball up. I'm quite versatile, to be fair, but I love scoring.
"I like to work hard for the team and mix my game up, that's what I'm about really."
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