Cats swoop for Paraguay star Da Silva

STEVE Bruce's first signing as Sunderland manager is set to be a 29-year-old free agent from Paraguay when Paulo Da Silva arrives on Wearside this week.

Bruce has targeted - and continues to pursue - a host of high-profile Premier League footballers as he tries to spend the biggest transfer budget he has ever been handed. But he has enjoyed great success in recent years by exploiting his contacts in central and southern America. On Saturday, Da Silva said his goodbyes to Mexican club Deportivo Toluca, where he has spent the last six seasons, before heading to England.

"First of all I want to thank Deportivo Toluca for the effort they made and for giving me the opportunity to fulfil a dream, which is playing in Europe," said Da Silva, whose contract has expired. "It is certainly an important step in my football career and I am very grateful to everyone.

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