SUNDERLAND last night completed the signing of Manchester United defender Phil Bardsley, who admitted the lure of Roy Keane persuaded him to quit Old Trafford.

Bardsley passed his medical late yesterday afternoon before putting pen to a 3Â-year deal.

The 22-year-old right back made just 18 appearances for United in five-and-a-half years with the club, with his first-team chances limited by a pecking order which includes Gary Neville, Wes Brown, and former Sunderland loan player Danny Simpson.

"Sunderland have a fantastic manager who has given me the chance to come here and play," said Bardsley. "I'm delighted, it's a massive club and a good opportunity for me."

Keane admitted he was keen to strengthen his defence after last weekend's defeat at Tottenham and was pleased to have finally secured Bardsley's signature after a year-long pursuit.

The Salford-born defender had an opportunity to join his former Red Devils skipper on Wearside this time last year but opted to gain more Premier League experience on loan at Aston Villa.

"We needed to strengthen our defence and Phil is a good addition to the squad," said Keane.

Bardsley completed a three- month loan spell at Sheffield United at the weekend - playing 16 times for the Championship club - and Blades boss Bryan Robson was keen to make his move permanent.

But once Keane made it known he was still interested in acquiring his services he was always going to end up at the Stadium of Light.

The loan at Bramall Lane was the fifth time Sir Alex Ferguson had sent Bardsley out to gain first team experience.

He also enjoyed brief spells at United's Belgian "feeder club" Royal Antwerp, Burnley, Glasgow Rangers and Aston Villa, where he made 13 Premier League appearances.

Ironically, his first Premier League start for the Red Devils came in a 3-1 win at the Stadium of Light against Mick McCarthy's Sunderland in 2005.

Bardsley is Keane's third January window transfer signing with former team-mate Jonny Evans, on loan from Old Trafford, and Jean-Yves Mvoto, who signed from Paris Saint Germain.

The Sunderland boss is still hopeful he can add one or two more to his under-strength squad with another defender and a striker still his priority.

The Wearsiders were yesterday linked with a move for Shakhtar Donetsk defender Razvan Rat.

Rat, a 26-year-old left back who has had spells in Germany, Spain and France, is believed to be available for £3.5m.

While one defender comes in it looks as if one is on his way out. Full-back Stephen Wright is currently having talks with Hull City over a permanent transfer.

Wright, who has spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Stoke City, has been told he can leave the club.

City manager Phil Brown, who is in Dubai with his team on a short break, revealed: "We are talking with Stephen with regards to a permanent deal.

"We couldn't make it in time for the Colchester game (last Saturday) but we'll sit down with him in the near future.

"I would say our chances of bringing in a new player before the Coventry game were quite high.

"We were hoping that one or two could have come out with us this week but we will come back on the 24th and look to do some business."