Report: Van Aanholt passes Sunderland medical, signs 4-year deal

When news broke that Patrick van Aanholt was having a medical with Sunderland AFC on Thursday, most guessed that it would be a permanent deal. The Dutch left back's time at Chelsea had obviously come to a close, and if Sunderland were coming in it was likely to be a permanent switch. And we all guessed right: reports from the Netherlands are claiming that van Aanholt has passed said medical and signed a four-year deal with the Black Cats.

We still have no idea what the fee will be or when the club will officially announce it, but assuming the reports are true -- and there's much reason we shouldn't trust Fox Sports Netherlands to get their reporting on a Dutch national team player right -- it's only a matter of time. A move to a Premier League club is good for everyone, I think: van Aanholt gets to play at a high level after learning his craft with our club, Sunderland get reinforcements in a position of need, and Chelsea will get some cash.

Happy endings!