Sunderland’s new number 10 – Who is Neilson Agulo?

Sunderland announced their third and final signing of the January transfer Window during their 3-0 win against relegation threatened Burnley at the Stadium of Light last night.

Winger, Nilson Angulo, 22, was signed from Belgium side Anderlecht for a rumoured fee of £17.5 million.

The Ecuadorian international has so far this season has managed six goals and four assists in 22 matches.

Angulo replaces the departing Simon Adingra who signed for an initial loan to AS Monaco for the end of the season with the French side having the option to buy for around £15 million.

Adingra had fallen out of favour under Head Coach Regis Le Bris and even with key absences during AFCON he failed to earn a regular game time with Le Bris favouring Enzo Le Fee and Romain Mundle over the Ivorian.

Angulo has made 160 senior appearances, registering 44 goals and being capped 12 times for his nation and has previously played alongside Noah Sadiki during their time at Brussels.

The signing of Angulo seems to fit the model of what Le Bris wants in his wingers with him possessing; a high work rate, directness and pace for counter attacks.

While Adingra fell out of favour under the Head Coach as he failed to show the desired amount of defensive work rate Le Bris demands from his wingers, Angulo doesn’t shy away from the defensive work, being aggressive and vigilant in his tracking back.

Upon the announcement of the signing, Sporting Director, Kristjaan Speakman said on the Sunderland website that: “Nilson is an incredibly exciting prospect, and we are delighted he’s chosen to join Sunderland.

“He excels in all the core actions required to impact the final third, and he arrives ambitious to make an impression.”

Angulo has been given the vacant number 10 shirt following Patrick Roberts permanent transfer to Championship side Birmingham City and arrived yesterday making himself available for Sunderland’s clash against league leader’s Arsenal on Saturday.