Striker James Vaughan dropped down a league to join Wigan Athletic from relegation battlers Sunderland and said it was an "easy decision". 

The Black Cats have already seen Lewis Grabban leave the Stadium of Light this January to return to his parent club Bournemouth and lost another striker with Vaughan's departure to the DW Stadium.

Vaughan only joined Sunderland - then managed by Simon Grayson - in the summer but only netted two goals and laid on one assist in 27 appearances across all competitions but Paul Cook will hope that Vaughan can find the form he showed in League One with Bury last season.

He told Shields Gazette: ""When a manager tells you that you are his only target, and how much he wants to get the deal done, it’s an easy decision."

The Verdict

It's a nightmare for Sunderland, who will have to rely on youngsters Josh Maja and Joel Asoro for the time being and only serves to intensify their need to get strikers through the door in this window.

With the club two points adrift of safety, Coleman was in the hunt for firepower in the transfer window but the opposite has happened - and that misery is intensified by Vaughan stating that a move down a league is a no-brainer.

Sunderland fans - what do you make of Vaughan's comments? Let us know in the comments below...

[ad_pod ]