IRISH DEFENDER JOHN O’Shea is set to end his 12-year association with Man United by signing for Sunderland in a £3million deal, the Irish Independent reports.
The player has been told he is surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, and is set to be the first player to make the switch between the two teams, with Wes Brown and Darron Gibson also considering a move to the Wearside club.
O’Shea picked up several honours while at United, after signing for the club at the age of 17, but the 30-year-old defender found first-team opportunities hard to come by this season due to a mixture of injury problems and strong competition for places at United.
The player, who is renowned for his ability to play in several different positions including goalkeeper, has made 255 appearances for the club, scoring 10 goals.
Elsewhere, O’Shea’s international colleague, Seán St Ledger, also appears to be on the move according to The Irish Times.
The player has been told he can leave Preston and an €1.38 million bid from Sven Goran Eriksson’s Leicester has been accepted.
St Ledger, who was relegated with Preston last year, will move provided he agrees personal terms with the club.
St Ledger has played 19 times for his country, establishing himself as a first-team regular in the process, however his form for Preston has been less impressive.
The player had been linked with a move to a Premier League club last season, but interest waned following a series of below-par performances from the Birmingham-born defender.
