Danny Graham has sealed a loan move to Blackburn Rovers, and has set his sights on helping the club climb the Championship table.
Rovers have endured a difficult campaign to date, which resulted in Gary Bowyer being sacked in November, and they have not recorded a league win since 11 December. This has contributed to their fall down the standings, with pre-season aspirations of a playoff place long since replaced with a fear of being dragged into a relegation zone they are just five points clear of.
Paul Lambert has already been able to add to his squad this month, with winger Elliott Bennett joining from Norwich City on a two-and-a-half-year deal and forward Simeon Jackson, who has signed from Barnsley until the end of the season. And now Graham arrives on loan for the remainder of the campaign, a deal which clearly excites the 30-year-old striker.
“I’m delighted to get it done,” he told the official club website. “I spoke to the manager and obviously he’s got some good players. The transfer embargo has been lifted, so they want to sign players and move the club forward. For me to get out of Sunderland and have a fresh challenge is superb. I can’t wait to get going and hopefully we can pull together and move up the table.”
This will be the ninth loan spell of Graham’s career, after beginning his career with Middlesbrough. He has also been under contract at Carlisle United, Watford, Swansea City and current employers Sunderland, who paid £5million for his signature in 2013. His deal at the Stadium of Light expires in the summer, when he will be available on a free transfer.
