Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has seen a considerable influx of top talent enter his Stadium of Light ranks this summer, but it is the loan deal for Olympique Lyonnais defender John Mensah that has got him most excited.

The former Wigan Athletic manager claimed he was following Mensah's progress in Ligue 1 while he was a Latic, and that he is adamant the player will be a huge hit in the Premier League.

Bruce was also careful to include a "first refusal" option in the loan where the Black Cats can make the move permanent at the season's conclusion.

"The deal is in place for us to get him at the end of the loan, and I think that’s great news because I’m delighted to get him," he beamed to the Shields Gazette.

"He’s a player I had my eyes on while I was at Wigan but he was just out of our league at the time, we couldn’t afford him.

"So to get him on loan all season is a great bit of business from our point of view. And to be able to get him permanently, ahead of anyone else, is also something which could work out very well for us."

Mensah arrived at Lyon only recently, for a £9 million fee. That figure has since dwindled, though, for the Ghana international has suffered a series of injuries that have kept him sidelined.

Bruce went on to claim that, when he is fit, there are not many who rank higher than Mensah. "I’m a huge admirer," the former Birmingham City boss added.

"He’s a solid, uncompromising defender who adds the extra steel and physical presence that is essential in the top flight."