Brown makes Sunderland switch

Sunderland have signed defender Wes Brown on a four-year contract from Manchester United for a reported fee of one million pounds.

Brown, 31, completed the move on Thursday after successfully undergoing a medical with the Stadium of Light outfit.

A 23-cap England international able to play at right-back and centre-half, Brown made his first-team debut at United in 1996, going on to record 361 appearances.

Brown won five English Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues and two FA Cups during his time at Old Trafford.

He retired from international football in August 2010.

“We are delighted to welcome a player of Wes’ ability, experience and character to the club,” Sunderland manager Steve Bruce said.

“He has been a fantastic professional for Manchester United through the years and not only will he strengthen our defensive options, he will also bring with him a winning mentality and level of maturity which can only be positive for the players around him.”

Another United defender, Republic of Ireland international John O’Shea, was also set to undergo a medical on Thursday prior to finalising his own transfer to Sunderland.

Brown joins Ahmed Elmohamady, Connor Wickham, Craig Gardner, Ji Dong-won, Keiren Westwood and Sebastian Larsson as Sunderland’s close-season signings.

Blackpool’s David Vaughan has also been linked with a move to the club.