Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has revealed Callum Styles suffered from a burst appendix which delayed his move to the Black Cats. The club have now confirmed his arrival from Barnsley,  on loan until the end of the season, after the unavoidable delay and he'll make an imminent return to action.

The 23-year-old Hungarian international becomes the Black Cats' third signing of the January transfer window, following Leo Hjelde and Romaine Mundle through the door.

The Wearsiders have an option-to-buy Styles at the end of his loan deal, should he impress at the Stadium of Light.

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Despite being just 23-years-old, Styles has amassed over 200 senior appearances, coming through the ranks at Bury before moving to Barnsley in 2018. 

The energetic midfielder, who can also operate up and down the left-hand side, spent the second-half of last season on loan with Championship side Millwall, narrowly missing out on the play-offs on the final day of the season.

Styles was also part of the Tykes side that finished in the top-six back in 2020-21, losing out to Swansea City in the play-off semi-final.

Speakman said: “Callum is an interesting player, who has the ability to play on the left side of central midfield or slightly wider in a full back or wing back role, so we feel his quality and flexibility will be a real benefit to us throughout the remainder of the season.

"Having reached an agreement in principle last week, we had an unavoidable delay due to Callum’s illness, but after reviewing his progress, we are now delighted that he’s here and we look forward to his imminent return to action.”