Forward Gears becomes first summer signing at Sunderland

Forward Nicki Gears has become the first signing of the summer at Sunderland according to reports on The Lady Black Cats’ official website.

The 29-year-old joins the Wearside club after leaving their neighbours Durham. Gears was one of two players to leave The Wildcats this afternoon with Abby Holmes being the other.

Sunderland have swiftly announced the news that Gears has agreed to join them for the 2022/2023 campaign as they look to improve on this season’s ninth-place finish in the FA Women’s Championship.

Gears spent seven years with Durham, scoring 15 goals in 110 appearances. The player has been short of match action in recent times as she has had to overcome a long term Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. Gears will now be hoping to put her recent injury woes behind her at new club Sunderland.

After completing her move to The Appleton Colliery Welfare Ground, Gears said “I’m really excited for the new challenge. I’ve loved playing at Durham for the last seven years, but I’m delighted to get started here.

“The combination of Mel (Reay) and Steph (Libbey) here is really exciting and we have a young, promising squad. I really enjoyed playing under Steph and working with her at Durham.

“Experience in this league is massive, and we have some unbelievable talent. To be able to bring some knowledge at this level can hopefully help take us to the next level and make us even better.”

Further squad updates will be announced by Sunderland in due course.