FORMER Celtic fans’ favourite has quit Manchester City after just one appearance in seven years since they paid Fulham £12million for him.
The exciting winger spent two and a half years at Parkhead and claimed 18 goals in 78 first-team appearances while winning seven honours and there was a clamour to make his loan deal permanent when he was due to return to the Etihad in 2018.
It is believed the Hoops hierarchy were interested, but were frightened off by the fee demanded by Pep Guardiola.
HOOP HOOP HOORAY…Patrick Roberts celebrates after scoring against Hearts at Tynecastle during his impressive two and a half years at Celtic.
However, Roberts has today agreed a six-month contract at third-tier English side Sunderland to finally leave City with his terms due to expire at the end of May.
After his impressive spell in the east end of Glasgow, the lively attacker went on a succession of temporary transfers to Girona, Norwich, Middlesbrough, Derby County and French outfit Troyes where he hardly figured and became a periphery figure.
Roberts has joined the Wearside outfit with the possibility of extending his stay at the end of the campaign and is in line to make his debut at home to Portsmouth tomorrow.
The player told the club website: “I can’t wait to get going. I came to the game against Sheffield Wednesday a few weeks ago to get a feel for it and it was great to watch – and something that I wanted to be a part of.
“The fans want you to do well and work hard every matchday and that pressure and expectation is something I thrive off. I just want to do well for the people that support me and get Sunderland back to where they belong.”
