Birmingham City are signing a big game player who does more than provide goals and assists in Patrick Roberts, the man Sunderland supporters dubbed 'Mini Messi'.
That's the verdict of Sunderland follower and reporter Matty Hewitt who watched Roberts at close quarters during a three-and-a-half year stay at the Stadium of Light which included two promotions and one unsuccessful play-off campaign.
Roberts was one of two experienced Championship campaigners who arrived at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park on transfer deadline day. Blues also added Jack Robinson to their ranks to provide manager Chris Davies with ample defensive cover.
Roberts arrives having just won promotion to the Premier League with Sunderland, where he was idolised by supporters.
Speaking on the Keep Right On Podcast, Hewitt said: "It sounds silly to say because you're comparing him to one of the best players who has ever played football, but the nickname 'Mini Messi' is not necessarily comparing the two players directly but you can see the similarities between the two in the way that Patrick Roberts carries the ball and he obviously plays off the right, left-footed and cuts inside.
"I will say, as with any creative wide player, consistency isn't necessarily his best attribute but on his day he's incredible to watch.
"I think he's one of the players that brought back real joy to Sunderland supporters having watched their team in League One for far too many years. He came in and made an instant impact."
Now 28 with bags of Championship experience under his belt, Roberts is targeting another promotion to the Premier League with Blues.
Admittedly, his highlights reel isn't overflowing with goals or assists, but there is more to Roberts' game than that.
A left-footed right-winger who is comfortable operating in tight spaces behind the striker, Roberts appears to be tailormade for Davies' system.
Hewitt added: "I wouldn't necessarily say he's the quickest winger, which is why he's probably moved on from Sunderland this summer. They've spent big in the wide areas but I would like to have seen him given a run in the Premier League.
"He made 147 appearances and only scored nine goals, but he's not necessarily the player you look at in terms of goals and assists and judge him on that, it's his wider impact and that's why Sunderland fans loved him.
"He is a big occasion player. He scored the winner against Sheffield Wednesday in the (League One) play-offs and then he set up Eliezer Mayenda in the Championship play-off final last year."