Ian Poveda, a sought-after player by both Birmingham City and West Brom, is heading to the North East to join Sunderland.

Poveda, who nearly signed with Birmingham City earlier this year, is set to join a Championship club, according to recent reports. A photograph circulating on social media shows Poveda holding a Sunderland scarf outside their Academy of Light training ground, and the Sunderland Echo confirms that the winger is joining the Black Cats. Sunderland was reportedly eager to secure Poveda’s signature ahead of their Championship rivals, and it appears they have succeeded.

The 24-year-old, a free agent after being released by Leeds United, was also on the radar of Cardiff City, Sheffield Wednesday, West Brom, and Luton Town. Poveda spent the latter half of last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, where he assisted in a goal during their 2-0 victory over Birmingham, a match that contributed to Birmingham’s relegation.

In a different scenario, Poveda could have been playing for Birmingham City, as he was reportedly close to joining them during the winter transfer window. Tony Mowbray, the manager at the time, had hoped to reunite with Poveda after their stint together at Blackburn Rovers, but Poveda chose to move to Hillsborough instead. “Poveda is a good player, I would have to say,” Mowbray told the BBC in February. “We were very close to signing Poveda in this window just gone. He’s a player I had at Blackburn Rovers and is a very talented young boy.”

It remains unclear whether Poveda was still a target for Birmingham after Mowbray’s departure. Craig Gardner, the club’s technical director, collaborates with the manager on transfer targets, and new manager Chris Davies likely had his own ideas for the squad.