Everton youngster Ellis Simms believes he is ready for the Championship after signing for Sunderland on a season-long loan.
The 21-year-old spent last the second half of last season on loan in the Scottish Premiership with Hearts where he scored five goals in 17 appearances. He put pen to paper on a new deal in November which will keep him at the club until June 2024.
Simms made his Everton bow against Chelsea in December 2021 but now becomes the latest addition at the Stadium of Light as Alex Neil looks to build on Sunderland's promotion to the Championship via the playoffs last season. For the forward, it is his third stint away from the club after helping Blackpool achieve their status in the second tier of English football, during the 2020-21 season, before he moved to the Scottish capital in January 2022.
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Following his arrival, Simms declared that he feels this next step is essential for him to continue his development. He told Sunderland's official website: "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 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."
Neil, who took over following Lee Johnson's sacking midway through the last campaign, 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."
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