On winter deadline day, Nilson Angulo left Anderlecht and completed a permanent move to Sunderland.
The Ecuador international’s decision to move to the Stadium of Light has created a buzz in his country.
His compatriot and former Manchester City striker, Felipe Caicedo, has given his take on Angulo’s decision to join Sunderland. Olé have relayed his comments.
According to Caicedo, the latest move allows him to take a step forward in his career.
“An obvious leap in quality,” he said.
The winger moved to Europe when the Jupiler Pro League side signed him from LDU Quito in June 2022. He scored 10 goals and contributed 11 assists from 94 matches for the Belgian club of which seven goals and eight assist were from this season.
This and his potential would have convinced Régis Le Bris’ side to bet on him in the winter market. On Monday, claims from Belgium reported Sunderland are paying €17.3m plus €2.8m as potential bonuses to Anderlecht.
Caicedo was at Manchester City between 2008 and 2011 and knows the Premier League well. He is of the belief his compatriot rushed into deciding to join Sunderland on deadline day.
The former striker insists Angulo would have ended up at a top-six Premier League side if he had delayed his decision until the summer.
“But I think if he had waited six months until the end of the season, he would have signed for a top-six Premier League team,” Caicedo explained.
Prior to Sunderland’s approach, there weren’t any concrete claims of interest from any of the top Premier League clubs.
On Boxing Day, Angulo did mention that he came across reports linking him to Liverpool. He had also made it clear there has been no interest from Arne Slot’s side.
