SAFC caputure Lens – SAFC – Sunderland AFC

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Published: 15 July, 2015
by Oscar Chamberlain

Netherlands international signs four-year deal.

Sunderland AFC has confirmed the signing of Dutch international forward Jeremain Lens.

The 27-year-old, who plays as a striker or on the wing, has joined from Ukrainian side FC Dynamo Kyiv for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-year deal.

Lens has played in both the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, reaching the quarter-finals of the latter competition last season.

Having worked with Sunderland head coach Dick Advocaat at PSV and AZ Alkmaar, the two are now reunited on Wearside.

Speaking about the move, Sunderland’s Head Coach said: “We have signed an international player and I am delighted to welcome him to Sunderland.

“He is a very well-known player in Europe and has played over 30 games for the Dutch national side, which shows his calibre.

“I have worked with him twice already, at PSV and AZ, so I know him well; he is fast and he has scored goals everywhere he has played so that will help the team.”

The Amsterdam-born forward has been capped 30 times by his native Holland, scoring eight goals.

Lens began his career with AZ Alkmaar picking up an Eredivisie winners’ medal in 2008-09, before moving to PSV in May 2010, working again with Advocaat when he took charge of the club in 2012, while the player has won Dutch Super Cups with both clubs.

Overall, Lens scored 34 league goals in 96 games for PSV, where he won the KNVB Cup in 2011-12.

Speaking about the signing, the Black Cats sporting director Lee Congerton added: “We’re absolutely delighted to sign a player of Jeremain’s quality, who has Champions League experience and is a regular for Holland, one of the world’s strongest national teams.”

“He’s a direct and quick player with or without the ball and those characteristics are something we’ve been lacking as a side.”

The forward moved to Kyiv in June 2013 and enjoyed a successful two seasons with the club, winning the Ukrainian cup in his first campaign and following up with a league and cup double last season.

Lens was part of the Dutch side which finished third at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

He also played a key role in helping the side qualify under Louis van Gaal, scoring five goals and adding five assists during the group qualification stage.

For the first interview with Lens please click here. 

To view the best photos from Lens’ arrival please click here.

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