Press release from Sunderland AFC:
Mick McCarthy secured his fourth summer transfer today when he clinched the signing of goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, joining in a £1.25m deal from Ipswich Town.
Following the signings of promising Irish striker Daryl Murphy, right-back Nyron Nosworthy and striker Jonathan Stead, Davis has signed a four-year deal with the Black Cats that will see him remain at the Stadium of Light until 2009.
The 28-year-old missed only one game for the Tractor Boys last season, turning in a string of impressive displays.
Davis said today: “This is a massive move for me. To join a new club at any time is exciting, but to come to a club like Sunderland is just phenomenal.
“I’m looking to improve and once I spoke to the manager (Mick McCarthy) I was excited about coming here. Now I’m just looking forward to getting on with it and playing in the Premier League next season.”
Black Cats boss McCarthy said: “This represents a tremendous signing for Sunderland. Kelvin has played in the Premier League before with Wimbledon and he has played something near 40 games a season for the last four years.
“He was voted the best goalkeeper in the Championship by the PFA last season and, at 28, he is also in his prime age for a goalkeeper. He has terrific ability and is experienced, so we’re delighted to have Kelvin in our squad for the Premiership.”
Davis began his career as an apprentice at Luton and went on to make 103 appearances for the Hatters. He had loan spells with Torquay and Hartlepool before joining Wimbledon for £600,000 in July 1999.
He took over from Neil Sullivan as the club’s number one in 2001 and became a big favourite with the Dons fans in his four years at Selhurst Park. He then signed for Ipswich in July 2003 after totting up more than 140 league and cup games for the Londoners.
Capped by England at youth and Under-21 level, Davis turned in a number of fine performances as Town narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premiership, producing his best save of the campaign in the final match, denying Bobby Zamora with a world class tip over in the Play-off defeat at West Ham.
KELVIN DAVIS – THE RECORD
Born: Bedford, 29.9.76.
Nationality: England.
Position: Goalkeeper.
Height: 6ft 1ins.
Weight: 11st 5lbs.
LEAGUE AND CUP APPS GOALS
Luton Town (1994-99) 105 0
Torquay Utd (1994 loan) 4 0
Hartlepool Utd (1997 loan) 3 0
Wimbledon (1999-2003) 146 0
Ipswich Town (2003-05) 93 0
TOTAL 351 0
