Sunderland have completed the signing of Stoke City centre-back Danny Batth on an 18-month deal.
The Black Cats have beaten Sheffield Wednesday to Batth's signature after the Owls were linked with the 31-year-old earlier in the window.
Lee Johnson's side have completed the free transfer of the three time promotion winner, who has made 13 appearances for the Potters in the Championship this season.
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The 6’3” defender has spent the majority of his career playing in England’s second tier, making 260 appearances in the Championship and 117 in League One.
Batth won promotion from League One back in 2012 with Sheffield Wednesday before repeating repeated the feat with Wolves in 2014.
The English centre-half captained Wolves as they made their way up from the third tier to the Premier League and will bring some much needed experience to the Black Cats.
Upon signing for the Black Cats, Batth said: “I’m very happy that this deal is done because this is a juggernaut of a football club and I’m delighted to be a part of its journey. This is the perfect set-up for me.
"I’m really looking forward to playing in front of the home supporters and I’ve already spoken to the Head Coach, who has tried to sign me in the past.
"When the opportunity arose, I thought it would be the perfect option to crack on and do well.”
Batth was named in the League One Team of the Season and the PFA Team of the Year back in 2014, and continued to impress this season, winning Stoke's Player of the Month for November last year.
Johnson said: “Danny is a player that I’ve tried to sign a couple of times before, so it’s third time lucky.
"We have some good characters already in place at the football club and you are always looking to nurture leadership qualities, but Danny’s come ready-made.
"A dominant centre back, he has a great personality and I think he will have really positive effect on and off the pitch.”
