Tuesday 29 July 2014 15:50, UK
Costel Pantilimon says joining Sunderland was an easy choice, with no thought given to their struggles last season.
The Romanian goalkeeper has opted to swap life at Premier League champions Manchester City for that at the Stadium of Light.
He has linked up with a squad that left it late to preserve their top-flight status in 2013/14, with a final flourish lifting them clear of trouble.
I came here to help this team. I know about this project and the ideas of the manager. I’m sure we’re going to do good things.
Pantilimon is aware that the troubles could influence the thinking of potential new recruits, but insists he needed little persuading to make a move to Wearside.
On joining Gus Poyet's ranks, he told The Echo: "No, the results from last year didn't worry me.
"I know that at this moment we have a good manager and good players. It didn't scare me or anything like that.
"I remember the games against Sunderland with Man City last season. We lost the game here, drew at home and we had a difficult game in the (Capital One Cup) final after they scored the first goal.
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"I came here to help this team. I know about this project and the ideas of the manager. I'm sure we're going to do good things.
"I trust what has happened here. We can do more than what happened last year."
Pantilimon, who will compete with Vito Mannone for the number one jersey at Sunderland, added: "I've found great people here. Since the moment I came here, it was easy to adapt.
"I think it will be the same for the other new players. When you have a good team and good staff, it's easy to settle.
"I know Adam (Johnson) from City. I talked with him. He's a good guy and also a good player."
