Sunderland linked with Wigan Athletic's Viv Solomon-Otabor - but who is he?

Indeed, Sunderland’s transfer team – including Stuart Harvey and Kristjaan Speakman – are looking to identify reinforcements ahead of a busy summer at the Stadium of Light.

Here, though, we take a look at everything you need to know about the Wigan Athletic attacker:

Viv Solomon-Otabor – fact file:

Age: 25-years-old

Club: Wigan Athletic

Born: London

National team: Nigeria

Position: Winger/attacker

What’s the story surrounding Viv Solomon-Otabor?

Sunderland are among a host of clubs credited with an interest in Wigan Athletic winger Viv Solomon-Otabor.

Charlton Athletic, Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth have also been linked with the wideman who is set to be out of contract this summer.

The 25-year-old’s deal with Wigan expires at the end of this month.

That means he will be available on a free transfer this summer.

Does Viv Solomon-Otabor have much League One experience?

The attacker started his career at Birmingham City and broke through into the Blues’ first team in the Championship, making 33 second-tier appearances during his time in the Midlands.

Solomon-Otabor also bagged Birmingham City’s Young Player of the Season award during the 2015-2016 campaign.

However, Solomon-Otabor found himself out on loan more often than not, enjoying stints with Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool and Portsmouth in League One, meaning he has plenty of third-tier experience.

The attacker then enjoyed a spell at CSKA Sofia in the Bulgarian top flight before joining Wigan Athletic in League One last season.

Solomon-Otabor made 28 appearances in the league of the Latics as they avoided the drop.

What happened to Viv Solomon-Otabor in Bulgaria?

The player penned a three-year deal with CSKA Sofia at the beginning of the 2019-20 season.

He made 22 appearances in all competitions, scored once in 19 league matches and represented the club in the Europa League.

However, when before Bulgarian football was suspended in mid-March because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Solomon-Otabor's contract was cancelled for financial reasons.

Following the controversial international match between England and Bulgaria in October 2019, Viv Solomon-Otabor became a target for racial abuse from supporters of opposing clubs and of his own.

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