Former Sunderland goalkeeper Lee Burge has sent a farewell message to the Black Cats following his switch to Northampton Town. The shot-stopper's three-year spell at the Stadium of Light came to an end this month after his contract expired, with the Cobblers quick to move for the 29-year-old.
Burge enjoyed a mixed spell on Wearside, being named in the League One team of the year in 2021. But injuries meant he lost his place in the first-team and then struggled to win it back with competiion from Anthony Patterson and Thorben Hoffmann.
However, following his switch to Northampton, the former Coventry City keeper took to social media to send a message to the club and the fans.
"Thank you Sunderland AFC for the past 3 years," he tweeted. "Was an honour to play for this great club, I have some great memories that will stay with me for life. Thank you to the fans for all your support and I wish you all the very best for the future!
Northampton boss Jon Brady is looking forward to having Burge at the club, following Liam Roberts' move to Middlesbrough. “Lee is a quality addition and we are delighted to be able to bring him to the club,” he said. “He is a really good age for a keeper and has a first class pedigree, he has played a lot of football in the Championship and League 1 and we feel he will be an excellent addition.
“There was a lot of interest in his services, as you would expect for a keeper of his experience and quality, and we are delighted we have been able to fend off that interest. He has the qualities we were looking for and we are excited to be working with him. To be able to bring the League 1 Team of the Season keeper from 2021 to Sixfields is an excellent piece of business and a real coup for the club and his arrival is another key target in place."
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