SUNDERLAND successfully added to their defensive options on the final day of the transfer window as they completed a season-long loan deal for Tottenham defender DeAndre Yedlin.

Yedlin, a United States international right-back who can also play further forward in midfield, has moved from White Hart Lane to provide some additional competition to a backline that has struggled in the opening weeks of the season.

The 22-year-old, who will link up with his new Black Cats team-mates after he has returned from an international double-header with Peru and Brazil, became the eighth summer arrival at the Stadium of Light, with Sunderland’s recruitment team having completed three signings in the final five days of the window.

Since Dick Advocaat bemoaned the deficiencies of his squad in the wake of last week’s Capital One Cup win over Exeter City, Sunderland have completed loan deals for Yedlin and Ova Toivonen and shelled out £9.75m to sign Fabio Borini from Liverpool.

Advocaat is understood to be delighted with this week’s events, which have strengthened his squad at either end of the field.

The Dutchman personally championed Toivonen’s arrival from Rennes, and was extremely enthusiastic about Borini’s return following a successful loan spell in the 2013-14 season.

His preferred defensive target at the start of yesterday morning was Liverpool youngster Tiago Ilori, but while Reds boss Brendan Rodgers was willing to sanction a season-long loan move, the Portuguese defender rejected the opportunity to move to Wearside because he was concerned about a lack of first-team action.

Ilori eventually joined Aston Villa a matter of minutes before the transfer window closed, initially on a loan deal but with a view to a permanent transfer next summer.

Sunderland briefly examined the possibility of signing former Newcastle defender Jose Enrique on loan, but quickly switched their attention elsewhere when it became clear that Yedlin was available.

The American burst to prominence at the 2014 World Cup with a series of barnstorming performances on the right-hand side, and moved to Tottenham from Seattle Sounders in January.

He made his Premier League debut against Aston Villa in April, but failed to force his way into Mauricio Pochettino’s first-team plans during the pre-season period.

Spurs officials continue to rate him highly, however, and were only willing to consider a loan move, something that suited Sunderland as they did not want to be tied to a long-term deal.

Yedlin will spend the whole of the season on Wearside, but will not be available to make his debut in Sunderland’s next game, as it pits the Black Cats against his permanent employers, Tottenham, on September 13.

“I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to play for a club with such great history,” said Yedlin, who boasts 23 senior caps for the United States. “I’ve heard fantastic things about Sunderland and the supporters from Claudio Reyna and Jozy Altidore. Claudio speaks very highly of Dick Advocaat from his time at Rangers.”

The defender will primarily compete with Billy Jones and Adam Matthews, who faces another six weeks on the sidelines because of injury, for the right-back slot.

His arrival was the only piece of business completed by Sunderland yesterday, although the club will attempt to move on some of their fringe players when the Football League loan window opens later this month.

Will Buckley was briefly linked with a possible move to Bournemouth yesterday, but that came to nothing and the winger will be offered to clubs in the Championship for a temporary move.

Liam Bridcutt, Charis Mavrias and Valentin Roberge will also be made available for a lower-league loan as Advocaat looks to trim his first-team group to a more manageable size.