Sunderland have completed the signing of midfielder Jack Rodwell from Manchester City.
Rodwell, 23, moves to the Stadium of Light after signing a five-year deal, the club announced on their official website, for a fee believed to be in the region of 10 million pounds.
#SAFC are delighted to confirm the signing of @JackRodwell from @MCFC on a five-year contract. #HawayRodwell pic.twitter.com/duHy4SQy7j
- Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 5, 2014
The former Everton midfielder, the first player City have sold outright this summer, became surplus to requirements for the Premier League champions after City manager Manuel Pellegrini signed three central midfielders this summer.
Fernando arrived from Porto for 12 million pounds, Argentine youngster Bruno Zuculini joined from Racing Club and Frank Lampard was taken on loan from New York City FC.
Rodwell only made one Premier League start in an injury-hit season last year as he struggled with hamstring problems.
He had joined City for an initial fee of 12 million pounds from Everton in August 2012 but has only started 10 games in two seasons at the Etihad Stadium. although they have made a slight loss on Rodwell, the reported fee recouped will go some way to helping City comply with UEFA's financial fair play regulations.
Everton had expressed an interest in taking Rodwell back to Goodison Park on loan and he was also linked with Southampton and Napoli.
Sunderland have already signed one City player this summer, bringing in goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon, who was released at the end of his contract.
Manager Gus Poyet has also brought Chelsea left-back Patrick van Aanholt, West Brom right-back Billy Jones and Wigan midfielder Jordi Gomez to the Stadium of Light.
However, with four central midfielders departing -- Jack Colback, Craig Gardner, David Vaughan and the on-loan Ki Sung-Yeung -- he is looking for further reinforcements in that area.