Titus Bramble has completed his move from Wigan to Sunderland. The 28-year-old, who has spent the last couple of days with the Black Cats at their training camp in Portugal, signed a three-year deal after the clubs agreed a fee in the region of €1.2 million.
He could make his debut in Saturday night's friendly clash with Hull at the Stadio Municipal de Albufeira and start the process of winning over those fans who remember his, at times, calamitous spell at Newcastle.
Manager Steve Bruce helped him rediscover his best form during their time together at Wigan, and Bramble returns to the north-east confident of proving his doubters wrong and intent on helping Sunderland to continue their climb towards the upper reaches of the Barclays Premier League table.
Asked about his aims for the new campaign, he told SAFC TV: "To become a regular and for the team, it's to improve on last season.
"The signings he [Bruce] is going to make and the players we have here, we are definitely good enough to qualify for Europe.
"It's a great stadium and we have got some very passionate fans - it's better to be playing with them rather than against them."
Although the administrative details of the deal took time to complete, the Black Cats swiftly agreed a fee with Wigan after registering their interest earlier this week, and Bramble took little persuading to sign a three-year contract. He admitted the fact that it was Bruce who had come in for him made his decision an easy one.
"Having played under him at Wigan, I know what a good manager he is and I know what a big club Sunderland are, so I am delighted to join them," Bramble said. "His man-management skills are amazing. I know how he plays, I know how his backroom staff work, so it wasn't a hard choice to make."
Bruce was delighted to have finally landed a player he first tried to sign 12 months ago as his lengthy search for a commanding central defender was at last rewarded.
"Titus was absolutely outstanding for me at Wigan," said the former Manchester United defender. "He matured into a very, very good player, so there was absolutely no hesitation when the chance came to bring him to Sunderland.
"He was certainly the right player at the right price and this is a great deal for the football club."
Bruce and his assistant Eric Black will not be the only familiar faces in the Sunderland camp with striker Darren Bent having also come through the ranks at Ipswich, while midfielder Lee Cattermole played with the defender at Wigan before his switch to Wearside last summer.
Wigan, meanwhile, have completed the signing of midfielder James McArthur from Hamilton for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of €600,000. The 22-year-old has signed a four-year contract at the DW Stadium after the Scottish Premier League club agreed to his sale this week.
The Scotland Under-21 international follows the same path as fellow midfielder and Republic of Ireland international James McCarthy, who left Accies for Wigan last summer.
"James is a really exciting prospect and we are all delighted that he has chosen to join Wigan Athletic," Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said today. "We are building a squad here at the DW and I see James as being another real quality addition who will add great competition in the midfield areas.
"He is young, hungry, desperate to play for us in the Premier League and I believe he has all the attributes you need to be a success at this level."
McArthur's arrival is the second to be confirmed by Wigan in the space of two days after Paraguay international Antolin Alcaraz received a work permit on Thursday.