Sunderland will be relieved they're protected from Wilson Isidor heartbreak | OneFootball

Sunderland included a key clause in their season-long loan deal for the striker.

Sunderland's Wilson Isidor is developing into something of a cult hero at the Stadium of Light.

Having started the season as second choice to Eliezer Mayenda, the striker is excelling in his absence, with three goals in his last five starts.

The Frenchman scored one of the goals of the season against Hull City, demonstrating another layer to his already impressive game.

With the 24-year-old attracting attention for his superb solo effort, Sunderland will be thankful that they struck the deal they made with Zenit St Petersburg during the summer transfer window.

Wilson Isidor won Sunderland fans over with North East jibes

Given Isidor has only started five games for the Black Cats, it is remarkable to think he has already won over the Sunderland faithful.

The forward had to remain patient for his opportunity to shine in the Championship and only played a combined 37 minutes prior to his first start under Regis Le Bris.

His wait for first team football was largely due to the form of Mayenda, who started the season as Le Bris' first choice striker. The Spaniard contributed two goals and two assists before suffering an injury which kept him out of Sunderland's last five matches.

While waiting for his first start, Isidor was already playing a fine tune to the Sunderland supporters. Prior to the Black Cats' clash with Middlesbrough, the striker fired shots at Newcastle United and Boro by claiming he had joined the biggest club in ther North East, as per the Sunderland Echo.

In the wake of the Wearsiders' 1-0 win over Boro, the striker furthered his reputation with a dig at the Teesside club. In a social media post after the victory, he posted the message 'derby winners', with the word 'derby' struck through.

As with all players, words only go so far, and it is performances that truly matter to supporters. Isidor is clearly a confident man and has backed up his banter with a series of goals.

Having scored on his first start against Watford, the Frenchman now has three goals in five games and is proving to be a real asset for the club.

Isidor produced his most iconic moment of the season in a Sunderland shirt with his tremendous solo goal against Hull. Having run almost the entire length of the pitch, the striker then had the nous to produce a chip reminiscent to that of Thierry Henry.

In Mayenda's absence, Isidor has cemented his claim for the number nine shirt, and on recent evidence, it would be hard to topple him.

Sunderland signed Isidor on a season-long loan from Zenit in August, with the Black Cats including an option to buy clause in the deal, as per BBC Sport.

The deal agreed between the clubs is proving to be an astute piece of business by the Wearsiders, given the Frenchman's formidable start to life in the North East.

Although it is early days, the striker has added a level of finishing that simply was not there last season. Indeed, Isidor has outscored Sunderland's entire strike force from the previous campaign, who only managed three league goals between them.

While it is unknown how much Sunderland would have to pay Zenit for the forward, the Black Cats will be encouraged to go ahead with the deal.

Furthermore, Isidor's tremendous goal against the Tigers would have caught the eyes of other clubs.

Since securing a place in Le Bris' starting line up, Isidor has been rampant with a flurry of goals for the Black Cats.

His goal against Hull will be a contender for goal of the season, given he ran the length of the pitch before neatly chipping the goalkeeper.

Sunderland will be relieved they included a buy clause in the season-long loan deal for the striker. His exploits will not go unnoticed by their rivals and the Wearsiders will be thankful they struck such a deal to deter others who might be sniffing.