Ferdinand completes Sunderland move

Sunderland have completed the signing of West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand

Sunderland have completed the signing of West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand. The England Under-21 centre-back joins the Wearside club for an undisclosed fee, having signed a four-year deal.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane told his club's official website: "We needed to strengthen our defence and Anton is a great signing."

The 23-year-old Peckham-born player, brother of Manchester United and England defender Rio, becomes Keane's ninth signing of the summer.

Keane said: "He'll bring quality and competition for places which is what we want, hopefully we can take him to another level here at Sunderland.

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"He has come through the ranks at West ham and maybe just needs a change."

The player said: "It was hard leaving West Ham because I have been there for 16 years but after meeting Roy Keane I knew it was time for a change.

"This is a great challenge for me and I feel it is an exciting time at Sunderland. I think the move will do me good."

Ferdinand follows Teemu Tainio, Pascal Chimbonda, Steed Malbranque, Nick Colgan, David Meyler, El-Hadji Diouf, David Healy and Djibril Cisse to the Stadium of Light this summer.

Keane is targeting one more player - possibly a left-back - before the transfer window closes next week.

He explained: "I have one more player in mind and then that is the end of it for a few months at least."

Ferdinand, who is recovering from a hamstring strain, is likely to be available for the game at Wigan on September 13th.