Sources: Shrewsbury set to sign Tom Flanagan from Sunderland
Sunderland defender Tom Flanagan is set to join League One rivals Shrewsbury Town, Football Insider understands.
The Black Cats are happy to let Flanagan leave the Stadium of Light before the transfer window closes and Shrewsbury have moved quickly to agree a deal for the Northern Ireland international.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Flanagan, who was in the final six months of his contract at Sunderland, is set to join Shrewsbury on a permanent deal.
The 30-year-old has started 25 League One games for the promotion-chasing Black Cats this season.
However, he was dropped to the bench for their 6-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday (29 January) that saw Lee Johnson sacked.
Sunderland have still been busy on deadline day despite being managerless.
Aiden O’Brien, who was in a similar contract situation to Flanagan, joined Portsmouth on a permanent deal earlier today.
Flanagan will end his spell at the Stadium of Light with five goals and three assists in 115 games for the club.
He moved to Sunderland from Burton Albion in the summer of 2018 and will offer Shrewsbury vast League One experience.
The 10-cap Northern Ireland international has played 148 times in the division across his time with Sunderland, Burton, MK Dons and Stevenage.
Shrewsbury currently sit in 16th-place in the table, just four points above the relegation zone.
They have also played at least one more game than the eight teams below them in the table.
In other news, Sunderland are closing on signing a new defender.