Sunderland keeper Jason Steele is in line for a shock move to the Premier League after a terrible season at the Stadium of Light.

Steele, a £500,000 capture from Blackburn Rovers, endured a nightmare season a Sunderland were relegated. He lost his place in October, won it back briefly in March, but then got himself sent off against QPR as the Black Cats plummeted out of the second tier.

Reports on the Chronicle Live suggest the 27-year old is close to a switch to a top-flight club as back up to their first team keeper, something will sill surely come as a huge surprise to Sunderland fans.

Steele made over 100 appearances for Blackburn in a two and a half year spell prior to his Sunderland nightmare, having started as a trainee at Middlesbrough.

If Steele does leave it will mean Robin Ruiter and Max Stryjek would be the only two keepers remaining at the Stadium of Light.

The Verdict

Really? Jason Steele moving to a Premier League club? This can only suggest there's a top flight club either 100% sure their keeper isn't going to pick up an injury, or that they're trying to save money.

Steele had a horrible time last season and he seems resigned to spending the next year or so sat on the bench somewhere.