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Transfer news: Sunderland defender Valentin Roberge wanted Reims loan switch

Valentin Roberge Sunderland
Image: Valentin Roberge: Joined Reims on a season-long loan from Sunderland this summer

Defender Valentin Roberge admitted he was keen to sample top-flight football in France following his loan switch from Sunderland to Reims.

Roberge, who only joined from Portuguese side Maritimo last summer, managed just 12 appearances in all competitions last season but did start this campaign’s opening day 2-2 draw at West Brom.

Roberge sealed a season-loan move to Ligue 1 on deadline day, though, and says it was something he had wanted to do at some point in his career.

"There were lots of positive things from my year at Sunderland," he told the Sunderland Echo.

"I wanted to play in France sooner or later, and then it’s football. You don’t know when the opportunity is going to arrive.

"I know the coach and two or three players, so, all in all, it was the best decision for me.

"It wasn’t an easy decision to leave Sunderland. But after speaking with the club and the coach, I thought it was truly the right decision to make.”

Reims chairman Jean-Pierre Caillot also confirmed the 27-year-old was eager to push the move through.

"Without his determination, he would perhaps not be at Stade de Reims," he said.

"He really wanted to come to play for the project. He did not do it for the money."

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