IAN POVEDA is hoping his time at some of the biggest clubs in world football will help him make a success of his move to Sunderland.

Poveda was confirmed as the Black Cats’ latest summer signing last night, joining as a free agent following his release from Leeds United.

The London-born 24-year-old began his youth career with Chelsea, and was part of the same academy intake as Marc Guehi, Conor Gallagher and Reece James. He had subsequent youth spells with Arsenal, Barcelona and Brentford before joining Manchester City’s academy ranks in 2016.

He was part of the City youth team that lost in the final of the 2017 FA Youth Cup, and made his debut for Pep Guardiola’s senior side in a League Cup game in 2019.

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He was also involved in Champions League squads during his time at the Etihad Stadium, and while he never quite achieved the breakthrough he had hoped for prior to leaving for Leeds in 2020, his experiences as a highly-rated youth performer should stand him in good stead as he looks to make his mark with Sunderland.

“Each club I went to as a youth player, I learned a lot,” said Poveda, who has signed a three-year deal with the Black Cats. “It’s formed the foundation and made me into the player I am today. It was tough, but luckily now I’m here at Sunderland and ready to get going.

“I’ve played alongside a lot of great players, and I feel like everyone (I’ve played with) at my age, from around the 2000 era, are doing well and playing at a high level. I feel happy for them, and it’s good to see.”

Poveda will hope to emulate some of their achievements during his time on Wearside, having turned down alternative offers from a number of different clubs in order to move to the North-East.

Ian Poveda has joined Sunderland following his release from Leeds UnitedIan Poveda has joined Sunderland following his release from Leeds United (Image: SAFC)

The Colombia international, who is eligible to play for the South American nation because of his Colombian parents, opted for Sunderland because of the size of the club and the appeal of the project that was outlined to him, and also because of the relationship he quickly struck up with head of player recruitment Stuart Harvey.

“The move came through Stuart Harvey,” he said, in an interview with Sunderland’s official website. “I could just feel the love behind the club, with Kristjaan (Speakman), Stuart himself and the manager.

“I’ve known Stuart English (head of coaching) as well from a really young age, when I was 15, and I feel like I have the right people around me here, supporting me. They’re just wanting the best for me, and the love I’ve received from day one, especially from Stuart Harvey, is something I can’t really describe. All I want to do is get on the pitch and play for the club.”

Poveda, an attacker who can play on either flank or as a central forward, spent the second half of last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, helping the Owls secure Championship safety from a position of considerable danger.

He made 36 senior appearances with Leeds, so boasts considerable knowledge of the league in which he will be playing next season. Sunderland have been accused of lacking experience in recent seasons, but in Poveda and fellow summer signing, Alan Browne, they have recruited two players who should slip seamlessly into life in the Championship.

“I feel like I know the division really well,” said Poveda. “Especially with having the last six months at Sheffield Wednesday and what I did over there to help them.

“The experience was good, especially with the help they gave me as well. I really enjoyed my time over there and have nothing but good things to say about the club, the fans and the manager. I was really happy with how things went there.”

He is now fully focused on helping Sunderland, and could make his first outing for the Black Cats in Saturday’s pre-season friendly at Blackpool, a club he knows well after spending the 2022-23 campaign on loan at Bloomfield Road.

“I’ve played at Sunderland a couple of times and I’ve seen how full the stadium gets, and the support the team has behind it,” he said. “It’s always tough playing against Sunderland. Now that I’m playing for us, it’s good.

“I feel good, and I just want to help the club restore itself to its glory days. I don’t feel like we should be in the Championship. I think we’re on to bigger and better things, and I fully believe in the project that was given to me and portrayed to me. That’s what I want to do, and here I am.”