Sunderland reportedly sign former Burnley striker Tinashe Chakwana

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Sunderland have reportedly swooped to sign a promising young striker. According to Zimbabwean media outlet The Herald, Chakwana has joined Sunderland after leaving Burnley.

The Clarets released Chakwana despite the youngster showing promise in the youth teams. But it has not taken him long to find a new club if these reports are to be believed.

In a scathing assessment of Zimbabwe’s AFCON struggles, The Herald highlights a number of young players based in England who are eligible to play for Zimbabwe.

Alongside Macauley Bonne (who has just joined Charlton Athletic from Leyton Orient) and Leicester City starlet Admiral Muskwe, this report considers Chakwana.

The 20-year-old has “recently signed for Sunderland”, as per this report. It appears that he has left Burnley on a free transfer and agreed a switch to Sunderland.

Chakwana: The next Jermain Defoe?

Chakwana’s style of play has been compared to former Sunderland hero Jermain Defoe. As reported by The Burnley Express, Burnley academy manager Jon Pepper praised Chakwana after he scored four goals in one match against Sheffield United.

Pepper said: “He’s got a lot to offer. When he’s on his game, playing up there and down the middle, he really closes problems. He plays off the shoulder, comes short, gets it in to his feet, a little bit like Jermain Defoe. He can be a good finisher when he’s on it.”

If Chakwana ends up anything like Defoe, then Sunderland have secured a major coup. And with strikers needed in the first-team, Chakwana will hope to impress in the U23 side and push for a senior spot.