Ndong not feeling the pressure of transfer tag at Black Cats

Signed for a club record £13.6million the pressure is on Didier Ndong to perform at Sunderland but the midfielder is relishing the opportunity.

Just 22, Ndong arrived from Lorient in France on transfer deadline day and could make his debut against Everton on Monday night.

Born in Gabon, Ndong began his professional career in Tunisia, where he played for CS Sfaxien before earning a move to Lorient in 2015.

He impressed in his lone season in Ligue 1, but faces another step up as he tries to establish himself for David Moyes’ team.

But with the Black Cats having made a slow start to their campaign, Ndong is confident he has what it takes to establish himself as a fan favourite at the Stadium of Light.

(JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD/AFP/Getty Images)

He said: “Playing in the Premier League is a childhood dream which has come true and it’s a reward for the hard work I’ve put in during the last four years as a professional, but now I’m here it’s up to me to prove that I’m worthy of being here.

“I want to show the talent I’ve got and demonstrate why I’m good enough to stay here, and if I’m selected against Everton hopefully I can show the Sunderland fans that I’m worthy and that I’m going to give everything for this club.

“I’m delighted to be here because I’ve been waiting for a while but on the last day of the window we finally made the deal happen.

“I can’t wait to meet up with my team-mates at my first training session and together we’re going to give everything we can.”