Football: Rodwell joins Sunderland from Man City

Jack Rodwell in action during an England match against Azerbaijan in the 2013 UEFA European Under 21 Championship. -- PHOTO: ACTION IMAGES
Jack Rodwell in action during an England match against Azerbaijan in the 2013 UEFA European Under 21 Championship. -- PHOTO: ACTION IMAGES

LONDON (AFP) - English midfielder Jack Rodwell will attempt to resurrect his career at Sunderland after the Premier League club on Tuesday announced his arrival from Manchester City on a five-year contract.

"Sunderland have completed the signing of midfielder Jack Rodwell from Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City," the northeast club announced on their website.

Rodwell, 23, spent two years at City after signing from Everton in 2012, but injuries prevented him from making an impact at the Etihad Stadium.

Sunderland did not disclose the fee they had paid for Rodwell, who has won three England caps, but British media reports said that it was around £10 million ($16.9 million, 12.6 million euros).

Rodwell made his Everton debut at the age of only 16 in 2007 and was tipped for a bright future.

He made 109 appearances for the club before moving to City in a £12 million deal, but a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the 2012 European Championship was an unfortunate precursor of things to come.

Ongoing injury problems restricted him to just seven Premier League appearances for City, obliging him to put his international ambitions on hold.

Rodwell admitted that his desire to kickstart his England career was one of the factors behind his decision to move to Sunderland.

"Watching the World Cup left a little bit of a bitter taste in my mouth," he told Sunderland's in-house television channel, SAFC TV.

"I was supporting the team 100 percent, but I also wanted to be there so I think it's time I put that right, get back playing, and get back in the squad "Without doubt the last couple of seasons I have not played nearly enough football as I have wanted to play.

"The regular football is the most important thing for me, to play football and get back to enjoying it, so this is a great place for me to be." Rodwell follows former City team-mate Costel Pantilimon in swapping the Etihad for the Stadium of Light during the close season, after the Romanian goalkeeper joined Sunderland on a free transfer.

Right-back Billy Jones, left-back Patrick van Aanholt and central midfielder Jordi Gomez have also moved to Sunderland since the end of last season.

Gus Poyet's side, who finished 14th in the Premier League last season, launch their 2014-15 campaign at West Bromwich Albion on August 16.

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