Healy joins Sunderland as Phillips takes off

SUNDERLAND manager Mick McCarthy has completed the signing of Colin Healy on a two-year deal.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder has become McCarthy’s third summer signing after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical last week.

McCarthy is delighted to have secured the Corkman’s signature and he told the club’s official website, www.safc.com: “I’m thrilled Colin has joined us. There was some strong competition for his signature, including from some Premiership clubs, so it’s pleasing to have secured the services of a player of his quality.

“I know Colin well and I’m fully aware of his strengths. He’ll be a great addition to our squad.”

Healy left Celtic at the end of last season and the 23-year-old has been a target for McCarthy for some time, although at one time it look like he could be going to either Everton or Leeds.

Everton’s manager David Moyes had been impressed by Healy’s international performances, but financial considerations ruled out a deal. Leeds expressed an interest, but Peter Reid was unable to agree terms.In the meantime, Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe believes Kevin Phillips will make a “big difference” to Gordon Strachan’s squad after the striker sealed his £3.25 million move from Sunderland.

Lowe is relishing the prospect of Phillips linking up with last season’s top scorer James Beattie at St Mary’s after nine days of negotiations with the 30-year-old.

Phillips has won eight England caps during his time at Sunderland, which he joined for £325,000 from Watford back in June, 1997, and scored 115 goals in 209 league games. He claimed just six top-flight goals last term as Sunderland dropped out of the Premiership, but Lowe told www.saintsfc.co.uk: “We are delighted to confirm that Kevin Phillips will be joining us. It has taken a lot of careful negotiation, but we have stuck to our guns and ended up with a quality player who will make a big difference to us. His arrival will give the fans a lift, Gordon Strachan a lift and the other players a lift.”

Talks with the player and his agent, Phil Smith, focused on Phillips’ wages, as he was believed to have been earning around £32,000 a week at the Stadium of Light. It is believed he has taken a massive drop in wages to return to the Premiership.

Phillips, who was being unveiled at a press conference on the South coast this afternoon, passed a medical late last night and agreed terms this morning.

The diminutive striker, who will wear the number seven shirt for Saints, was rejected by Southampton as an apprentice when he was played out of position at right-back. Twelve years on, he has become the Saints’ second most expensive ever signing on a par with Agustin Delgado and behind £4 million midfielder Rory Delap.