Football: Liverpool's Coates heads to Sunderland on loan

Liverpool's Uruguay international central defender Sebastian Coates joined Sunderland on a season-long loan on Monday. The 23-year-old had struggled to earn playing time at Anfield and Sunderland boss Gus Poyet snapped up his compatriot before the transfer window closed until January. Coates -- who sprang to prominence in the Uruguay side that won the 2011 Copa America -- made only 24 appearances, with just six starts in the Premier League, during his three years with Liverpool. "Defender Sebastian Coates has joined Sunderland on a season-long loan from Liverpool," a Sunderland statement confirmed. "The 23-year-old Uruguay international is the Black Cats' eighth summer signing." Coates signed for Liverpool in 2011 from Nacional and returned to his former club on loan last season.