Sunderland: A Top-8 Finish in the Standings Is Looking Increasingly Realistic

Steven Fletcher can't wait to get going at the Stadium of Light.

The 25-year-old Scottish international, who scored 12 league goals last season for Wolverhampton Wanderers (he's bagged 36 strikes since moving to Burnley three seasons ago), completed a transfer to Sunderland reported to be in the realm of £12 million.

It didn't take long for the striker to voice his enthusiasm for the project currently at hand under manager Martin O'Neill.

"I'm delighted and relieved to be here," Fletcher told the club's official site on Friday. "It's taken a while but I'm glad it's finally done."

Fletcher is the third player to join the Black Cats this season after Louis Saha and Carlos Cuellar came in on free transfers. 

Cuellar and Saha both featured for Sunderland in their season opener against Arsenal last Saturday. Cuellar's poise and positioning were excellent against the Gunners, and the former Aston Villa man provided some last-ditch blocks to deny shots on goal.

It was a resolute display that saw Sunderland emerge with a point after a 0-0 draw. A terrific result to start a season that is suddenly looking very, well...luminous.

"When you come to the training ground and the Stadium of Light it obviously shows how big the club is. I've played here a few times, and the atmosphere is always good; I can't fault it," Fletcher said.

"The signings (O'Neill has) brought in are very positive, in addition to the squad we've already got. I watched training yesterday and the boys look very sharp.

"Adding quality players to the squad has been our main aim this summer," O'Neill told the club's official site.

Rumors that the manager wasn't done yet were verified Friday evening, when Adam Johnson put pen to paper on a four-year deal.

The former Manchester City winger, thoroughly disgruntled with the lack of first-team opportunities available to him under Roberto Mancini, had traveled to Wearside on Friday ahead of a £10 million move that could rise to £15 million with add-ons.

"I’m the kind of player that needs to be playing regularly," Johnson said.

"Any player does, really, no matter what age they are. I need to play week-in week-out. You can’t just go into one game after not having played for five, and be expected to perform."

Johnson's arrival marks a terrific, albeit expensive, coup for O'Neill. The 25-year-old has long been considered one of the brighter talents in England, able to attack defenses with his mazy dribbles, a talent he combines with a good eye for goal.

Paired with Fletcher, that gives O'Neill two marquee attackers; a true signaling of O'Neill's intent this season.

Thirteenth in the final league table last season, there's every reason to believe the Black Cats can improve upon that standing.

Ambition can be a tricky muse, and transfers certainly don't always pan out like one might hope, but Fletcher and Johnson will certainly bolster the attacking ranks.

The duo join sterling youngster James McClean, who showed flashes of his potential in the limited opportunities he had getting forward last weekend at the Emirates.

And with the likes of the technically astute Sebastian Larsson and the industrious Stephane Sessegnon in midfield, there's every reason to regard the Black Cats as a legitimate threat this season.

"Hopefully we can have a good season, for me personally and the club," Fletcher said in closing his first interview at his new club.

We'll see Saturday, when Sunderland take on Reading, whether they can continue building on their impressive start.