Soccer:Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has pulled off a double transfer breakthrough by landing free signings of Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Keiren Westwood and Sebastian Larsson.
The Black Cats have agreed terms with out-of-contract Coventry goalkeeper Westwood and Birmingham midfielder Larsson, who remain contracted to their current clubs until June 30th but will officially become Sunderland players on July 1st.
A club statement said: "Sunderland AFC today confirmed that terms have been agreed with Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Keiren Westwood and Swedish international midfielder Sebastian Larsson. The players will officially sign with the club on July 1st, 2011."
Westwood was on Wearside earlier this week to finalise the deal and undergo a medical, and fellow 26-year-old Larsson followed him on Wednesday as Bruce finally tied up two deals which he had been pursuing for several weeks.
There were suggestions that the Black Cats could face late competition for Larsson from Aston Villa, now managed by former Birmingham boss Alex McLeish, but they moved swiftly to get their man.
Bruce had identified the pair as two of three Bosman signings he hoped to make during the early weeks of the summer transfer window, and having missed out on Lorient midfielder Morgan Amalfitano, will be delighted to have succeeded.
