CLUB BRUGGE are ready to offer Bryan Oviedo an opportunity to swap League One for a place in the Champions League this summer.

The Belgian side will rekindle their interest in Oviedo, having made an initial approach for the Sunderland full-back in January.

Back then, Brugge were struggling to fund Oviedo’s wages and Sunderland agreed an alternative deal with West Brom.

That deal collapsed on deadline day in January, and after returning to Wearside, Oviedo played an influential role as Sunderland narrowly missed out on winning promotion via the play-offs.

The Black Cats’ failure to make it to the Championship means they will look to move on a couple of their highest earners this summer, and with Oviedo’s wages making him one of the most expensive squad members, Jack Ross will agree to the Costa Rica international’s departure.

Reece James was Sunderland’s first-choice left-back for much of the first half of last season, while youngster Denver Hume recently signed a new deal at the Stadium of Light.

Club Brugge remain interested in Oviedo, and having finished second in the Belgian top-flight last season, the club are now in a better position to fund a move for the 29-year-old, who is about to enter the final year of his current contract on Wearside.

Brugge have qualified for the third qualifying round of the Champions League, and would ideally like to have Oviedo in place for the start of their continental campaign in early August.

Oviedo is currently preparing to represent Costa Rica at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and claims to have learned a great deal from his experiences over the last 12 months.

“Personally, I learned many things,” said Oviedo. “One of the most important ones is that one should not stop striving wherever it is. There were very difficult times in Sunderland because I was on the bench and third choice, but in the end I played the last few months.

“I improved a lot on the defensive side, I always tried to apply myself well. The Championship and League One helped with the intensity of my play.”