Sources: Portsmouth agree to sign Sunderland attacker Aiden O'Brien
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Sources: Portsmouth agree to sign Sunderland attacker Aiden O'Brien

Wayne Veysey
Wayne Veysey

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

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Portsmouth have agreed a deadline-day deal to sign Sunderland attacker Aiden O'Brien, Football Insider understands.

The 28-year-old is in the final six months of his contract at Sunderland and Portsmouth have finalised a deal with their League One rivals.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley admires O'Brien's versatility in that he can play anywhere up front.

O'Brien, 28, joined Sunderland in the summer of 2020 from Millwall and has made 65 appearances for the Black Cats.

He was a major part of Lee Johnson's side at the beginning of the season before dropping out of the starting XI in the last couple of months.

Johnson was sacked by Sunderland following the 6-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday (29 January).

O'Brien is now set to follow him out of the door and that could help Sunderland to complete a deal with Jermain Defoe.

The i reported earlier today (31 January) the north-east giants are set to announce the popular striker's return to the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats and Pompey have already done business together this month (26 January) with left-back Denver Hume moving to Fratton Park on a permanent deal.

Portsmouth currently sit in 11th in the League One table, 11 points behind the play-off places, but they do have games in hand over nine of the 10 teams above them.

Despite their hammering at Bolton, managerless Sunderland are up in third, just a point behind the automatic places.

In other news, Sunderland are close to signing a new defender.

Sunderland AFC
Portsmouth
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