GARRY NAVILLE REACTS AS SUNDERLAND AFC AGREE DEAL WITH GILLINGHAM F.C TO RE-SIGN EX-SUNDERLAND MIDFIELDER BACK TO STADIUM OF LIGHT
Sunderland AFC have sent shockwaves through English football after agreeing an unexpected deal with Gillingham F.C. to bring a former midfield star back to the Stadium of Light.
The move, confirmed on monday morning, has immediately become one of the most talked about stories of the transfer window. Supporters, rivals, and pundits alike were left stunned, particularly due to the reaction it provoked from one of Sunderland’s most outspoken critics, Garry Naville.
For years, Sunderland have been an easy target for national punditry. Ownership instability, missed opportunities, and repeated false dawns have shaped the club’s modern reputation, with Naville often leading the criticism. Rarely missing a chance to question Sunderland’s direction or ambition, he has regularly portrayed the club as a giant unable to escape its own past. That is why his response to this latest development has raised eyebrows across the footballing world, because this time scepticism turned into genuine surprise.
The player at the centre of the deal is Bradley Dack, a midfielder whose career has been built on consistency, resilience, and goals from deep positions. Sunderland’s decision to re sign him from Gillingham is not simply a sentimental reunion but a move that signals intent and belief. Bradley Dack is a player who understands pressure and expectation, qualities Sunderland believe are essential as they look to reshape their future.
Bradley Dack first made his name at Gillingham between 2014 and 2017, where he scored an impressive 31 goals from midfield. His ability to arrive late in the box and dictate games quickly marked him out as one of the most effective attacking midfielders outside the top flight. That form earned him a move to Blackburn Rovers, where he continued to develop into a reliable and influential figure. Between 2017 and 2023, Bradley Dack scored 50 goals for Blackburn, cementing his reputation as a midfielder who delivered year after year.
When Sunderland signed him in 2023, the move divided opinion. Some questioned whether the club was looking backward rather than forward, while others believed Dack’s experience and leadership would prove invaluable. The midfielder answered those doubts emphatically during the 2023 to 2024 season, scoring 8 goals and frequently stepping up in decisive moments. He quickly became one of Sunderland’s most important players, both on the pitch and in the dressing room.
After leaving Wearside, Bradley Dack returned to Gillingham, where he has once again been doing a great job. His form there reignited interest and ultimately convinced Sunderland that bringing him back was the right decision. Few expected the club to move so quickly, and even fewer expected the response it triggered from Garry Naville.
Speaking on a televised football panel, Naville admitted the deal had caught him completely off guard.
“I criticise Sunderland a lot and usually with good reason,” he said. “But I did not see this coming. And I did not expect to like it.”
Naville went further, suggesting the move could have implications that stretch far beyond Sunderland’s immediate objectives.
“This is the kind of signing that changes a club’s story,” he added. “People forget how big Sunderland are. When they make smart decisions like this, it can shift the entire Premier League narrative in the long term.”
Those comments were particularly striking given Naville’s history of dismissing Sunderland as a club stuck in the past. This time, however, he acknowledged that the decision showed clarity and purpose rather than panic or nostalgia.
Inside the club, Bradley Dack return is viewed as both a footballing and cultural boost. His familiarity with the Stadium of Light and his proven goal record are expected to bring balance to a young squad while providing leadership during crucial moments. Fans have reacted positively, with many describing the move as unfinished business finally being addressed.
Whether this signing alone can transform Sunderland’s fortunes remains to be seen. But one thing is clear. Sunderland have made a statement. And when even Garry Naville pauses his criticism to recognise smart planning, it suggests that something meaningful may be taking shape once again on Wearside.
