Costel Pantilimon leaves Manchester City for Sunderland

By foxsports
Published

SUNDERLAND, England -- Premier League team Sunderland says it has signed goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon for four years on a free transfer.

The 27-year-old Pantilimon, who has played 18 times for Romania, will officially join Sunderland on July 1 after his contract expires at English champion Manchester City.

Pantilimon says that ''when I left Manchester City, it was important that I chose a club with good ambition ... after speaking with the boss (Gus Poyet), I knew this was the right place.''

He made 29 appearances for City in three years and replaced Joe Hart for two months in the 2013-14 season when England's first-choice goalkeeper had a loss of form.

Sunderland announced the move on its web site.