Rodwell completes Sunderland switch

While neither side have released an official fee, several sources are estimating a £10m pricetag which future add-ons potentially bringing the fee to £13m.

Rodwell leaves the Club having struggled with injuries for most of his time here, rarely reaching the heights his potential would -- and should -- allow. I still maintain he's a top-class talent with a more continental type style than many of his English counterparts, but his constant fitness problems have held him back. A loan with a buy option might have been preferred, but with Fernando's arrival (and Garcia's late season push) City's midfield looks full.

With Micah Richards and Scott Sinclair all but set to follow him (and Lescott) out of the Club, City's English contingent continues to shrink, an unfortunate byproduct of the inflation that comes with English talent. (See the recent transfers of Shaw and Lallana.)

For Sunderland, it's a transfer that has the potential to be hugely beneficial -- again, provided Rodwell can push on from his injury struggles. He'll walk into the Black Cats starting XI and could prove a pivotal player for a side that successfully fought off relegation last season.

Having hoped he could make the breakthrough at City for the last two years, I must now look forward to Rodwell scoring the winner in what's become City's tradition of losing 1-0 in The Stadium of Light.