Sunderland have signed Everton striker Ellis Simms on loan - with boss Alex Neil hailing him as a 'serial goalscorer'. The 21-year-old has joined the Black Cats on a season-long deal and is set to be in the squad for Sunday's Championship opener against Coventry City at the Stadium of Light.
A host of Championship clubs were believed to be chasing Simms, but Sunderland have landed him ahead of the likes of Blackpool, Huddersfield, and Millwall. Simms said: "It feels great to be here - it's such a massive club and I can't wait to get started.
"As soon as Sunderland showed an interest, I knew this this would be a great environment for me to continue my development and a great platform to show what I can do. I've played in League One and the SPL, so this is the next step for me and I feel I'm ready for the Championship."
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Neil added: "To have Ellis in the building [ahead of the first game] is great. He will compliment Ross Stewart, but equally he will provide competition and he joins following two really good loan spells at Blackpool and Hearts.
"He's a big lad, who is direct, quick and mobile - and he's been a serial goalscorer. There's been a lot of Championship interest in Ellis, but we have managed to secure his signature and we are delighted to get the deal across the line."
Simms spent the second half of the 2020-21 season on loan at Blackpool, and scored 10 goals in 24 games in all competitions as he helped the Seasiders secure promotion from League One via the play-offs. Last season he made his Premier League debut for Everton against Chelsea in December, before joining Scottish Premiership side Hearts on loan in January and he scored seven goals in 20 appearances in all competitions for the Easter Road club.
The England U20 international becomes Sunderland's sixth summer addition, following the arrivals of Leon Dajaku and Jack Clarke on permanent deals after spending time on Wearside on loan last term, while defenders Daniel Ballard and Aji Alese, and goalkeeper Alex Bass, have also joined on permanent deals.
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