9:30pm Monday 1st September 2008
By Paul Fraser
SUNDERLAND have completed the signing of George McCartney from West Ham for a fee in the region of £5.5m.
The Northern Irishman has signed a five-year contract and will replace Danny Higginbotham in the Black Cats' squad.
After short negotiations at his former club, Stoke City, Higginbotham has signed a three-year deal at the Britannia Stadium.
Sunderland have recouped £2m from the £3m they paid out for him 12 months ago, although that has gone immediately towards the purchase of McCartney.
McCartney was on Wearside today finalising the finer points of his contract and undergoing a medical.
And, after successful talks and tests, the 27-year-old will be confirmed as Sunderland's only signing on deadline day before the midnight cut off point.
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