The transfer window is now closed for League One clubs, which means Jack Ross is unable able to add any additional players to his squad for the upcoming campaign, other than from the free agent market.
Sunderland added seven new players this summer, a mix of free transfers, loans, and signings from other clubs.
Their final acquisition of the summer was left-back Laurens De Bock. We quiz FLW writer Ned Holmes about the arrival of the defender in today’s six pointer…
Firstly, what is the deal?
“De Bock arrived at the Stadium of Light on transfer deadline day.
“The Belgian defender has joined on a season-long loan from Championship side Leeds United.”
Why have Leeds let him go?
“De Bock joined Leeds in January 2018 and made seven appearances in the second half of the 2017/18 season.
"However, he has never featured under Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa and has appeared excess to requirements since the Argentine coach arrived at the club in the summer of 2018.
“The Belgian did not feature in pre-season for the Whites and, in truth, I am surprised it took Leeds this long to offload the player.”
Do Sunderland need him?
“Yes, after the exits of Reece James and Bryan Oviedo in the summer, Ross was short of depth at left-back.
“21-year-old Denver Hume was the only left-back in the Black Cats' squad, so De Bock is a necessary reinforcement.
“Ross had made it clear that he wanted to sign a left-back before the transfer window closed and bringing in the Belgian has allowed him to do just that.”
What will he offer?
“The 26-year-old is a strong tackling left-back who had a successful spell at Club Brugge in Belgium before he joined Leeds United.
“De Bock made 177 appearances and helped his side to win the Belgian league title and the Belgian Cup twice.
“However, his time at Leeds was a failure, he made seven appearances during his first season at the club but has not appeared once since, so it is difficult to tell which player Sunderland are signing."
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How did he perform last season?
“He spent last season on loan with Belgian side KV Oostende and made just 27 appearances for the club, contributing one goal but no assists.
“De Bock’s performances contributed to KV Oostende finishing the 2018/19 campaign in 14th, just two places above the bottom of the table.”
Finally, is this a good piece of business for Sunderland?
“The jury is out on this one.
“The Black Cats certainly needed someone to provide some cover and competition for Hume but I am not sure how good of an addition De Bock will be.
“The 26-year-old won four trophies in a successful spell at Club Brugge but he is the first to admit that his time in English has been difficult.
“At this point, it is hard to tell whether or not he will prove a good signing."