Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat has heaped praise on sporting director Lee Congerton.
The Black Cats managed to sign defender Sebastian Coates from Liverpool for £2million recently and the addition of the Uruguayan has been hailed by Dutch boss Advocaat.
"We did not expect that (last season) but from the moment we saw him training, he was improving every day and at a certain moment, we had to take a decision," the Dutchman told the club's official website.
"Then he did really well and I think he can get even better.
"That's a really good signing from our club, Lee did a great job to bring him back to Sunderland for that price."