Head rules heart as Wright joins Sunderland

Stephen Wright has left Liverpool for Sunderland today after reluctantly accepting that he has little chance of playing regular first-team football at Anfield.

Sunderland manager Peter Reid had to use his powers of persuasion, but got a player he has wanted for most of the year. Reid was among those first linked with Wright before the England Under 21 defender signed a three-year contract with Liverpool last season. Everton, Blackburn and Fulham also showed an interest but Reid was the only one prepared to meet Liverpool's demands, agreeing to pay £2million which could rise to £3m depending on appearances.

A boyhood Everton fan in the tradition of Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher, Wright was fully committed to the Liverpool cause once he signed as a schoolboy at the club where his father Jon is on the staff as a physiotherapist.

Wright believed he could make the step up to the senior side when he agreed his new deal, but has been forced to concede that Markus Babbel's recovery from illness and the signing of Abel Xavier will seriously restrict his opportunities.

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier said: 'Stephen is at an age where he has to play regular football, and going to Sunderland is an opportunity for him to do so. 'If I was selfish, I would have kept him here. But I thought about him and about his career because he is a good lad.' As Wright departs, midfielder Steve Warnock, 20, is hoping to go out on loan to Coventry City to gain experience, and their situation shows just how tough the challenge is for youngsters at Anfield.

Steven Gerrard and Owen were the last of the home-produced talent to establish themselves, and next summer the competition will be even stiffer with France's top two teenagers, Anthony Le Tallec and Florent Sinama-Pongolle, due to arrive from Le Havre. Sunderland still hope to follow up the signing of Wright by bringing Norway striker Tore Andre Flo to the Stadium of Light from Rangers in a £5m deal.