Costa Rica international Bryan Oviedo (red jersey) was acquired by Sunderland on January 30, 2017. (Photo: Victor Straffon/Straffon Images)
SUNDERLAND, England -- Sunderland announced Monday that it has acquired Bryan Oviedo from fellow English Premier League side Everton, signing the Costa Rica international to a contract through the 2019/20 season.
The deal reunites the 26-year-old left back with head coach David Moyes, who originally signed Oviedo for Everton in August 2012.
“Bryan is a very good player and he’ll help us get forward,” Moyes told the Sunderland club website. “He’s quick and overall he’s a decent left-back. I signed him for Everton from Copenhagen as cover for Leighton Baines at the time, and he’s only not getting in because of how well Leighton’s done.
“He’s 26 which is a good age for us and I think he’s a really good character – a good boy – and I’m hoping he’s someone who will help us over the years.”
Oviedo started his career in Costa Rica with Saprissa, before moving to Denmark’s FC Copenhagen in 2010, spending his first season there on loan with Nordsjælland with which he won the Danish Cup in 2011. After returning to Copenhagen for the next season, Oviedo won the Danish Cup once again.
With Everton, Oviedo made 49 Premier League appearances and scored two goals.
He missed the 2014 FIFA World Cup after suffering a double fracture to his left leg in a FA Cup win at Stevenage.in January of that year. Oviedo’s last competitive match for Costa Rica came in a 3-1 victory over visiting Panama in a CONCACAF World Cup qualifier for the 2018 World Cup on September 6, 2016.
