Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman hailed Bailey Wright as the 'ultimate professional' as the Australia international completed a deadline day loan move to Championship strugglers Rotherham United. Centre-back Wright has joined the Millers for the remainder of the season and could make his debut for the South Yorkshire side at home to Sheffield United on Saturday, but he will not be able to face his parent club when Sunderland visit the New York Stadium in three weeks' time.
Fan favourite Wright was a mainstay of the Sunderland side that won promotion from League One via the play-offs last season but the 30-year-old - who was part of the Socceroos side that was beaten in the World Cup round of 16 by eventual tournament winners Argentina last month - had been in and out of the side this term, and had been linked with a move away from Wearside this month. Scottish Premiership sides Aberdeen and Hibernian were linked with him earlier in the window, along with League One Portsmouth, but Rotherham have won the race for his signature.
Speakman said: "Bailey is the ultimate professional and he has been an outstanding member of our squad, especially over the last 18 months. Tony [Mowbray, Sunderland's head coach] and I have had numerous conversations with him this season because his game time has been limited and he is motivated to play regularly - we agreed that if the right opportunity presented itself in January, we would not stand in his way and we believe this move is the best outcome for all parties.
