Sunderland have signed defender Phil Babb from Sporting Lisbon on a three-year deal. The former Liverpool and recently out of favour Republic of Ireland centre-half completed his move to the Stadium of Light this morning after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms. Babb was a permanent part of the Republic of Ireland set-up until both he and Mark Kennedy got into a fracas in Dublin’s Harcourt St. some two years ago. Babb hasn’t played since; Kennedy has, and surely based at Portugal Babb was even more out of favour.
Babb 31 turned down the offer of a new deal in Portugal to take up the challenge of a return to Premiership football. Phil has won 34 caps for Ireland, and was a regular at Sporting last season as they completed the league and cup double. And he has turned down the chance of Champions League football by making a move to the Premiership next season. Reid has swooped to secure Babbs' services without paying a transfer fee as the defender was out of contract and available on a Bosman transfer
That makes a total of twelve Republic of Ireland internationals working at the Northeast club. At senior level for the Republic - Kevin Kilbane, Niall Quinn, Jason McAteer and now Phil Babb . At U21 level - Thomas Butler, Clifford Byrne, and U16 &18 level - Keith Graydon, Stephen Capper, Glenn Lacey, Brendan McGill, Michael Reddy, Sean Thornton . It will see the reunion of the Spice Boys, with his former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland teammate Jason McAteer now playing with Sunderland, as this was their nicknames at Anfield.
It would give Mick another centre back option with Babb now back in the Premiership and still only 31. Who knows what the future holds for the defender, who was involved in the US94 World Cup finals. And the word on the Street’ in Ireland is that Mick McCarthy may find himself taking up a position with the North East club soon. Mick McCarthy, "NEW SUNDERLAND MANAGER"
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