SUNDERLAND centre-half Stephen Caldwell has revealed that manager Mick McCarthy was the main reason behind his summer move to the Stadium of Light.

Caldwell became McCarthy's fifth summer signing after finally completing his protracted move from North-East rivals Newcastle yesterday.

The 23-year-old spent three months of last season on loan at Leeds and, when the Magpies confirmed they would not be extending his contract, the Elland Road club expressed an interest in taking him to Yorkshire on a permanent basis.

But Caldwell had already set his mind on a move to Wearside and, after signing a three-year deal with the Black Cats yesterday, the defender is confident his future is in safe hands.

"I can only improve as a player by working with Mick McCarthy," said the Scotland international, who starred in his country's 4-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago in May.

"It's great for me that the manager used to be such a good centre-half and I am sure he will bring my game along and teach me things that I have never been taught by my previous managers.

"This guy has been there and done it at the highest level. He has been at the level I am striving to get to and there can be no better man to help me get there.

"It is going to be really valuable for me to be working for Mick McCarthy - from what I have been told, he is a great man to work for."

Caldwell will come face to face with McCarthy when Sunderland's players return to pre-season training next week, but it will not be the first time he has come into contact with the Black Cats boss.

The defender grew up supporting Glasgow giants Celtic and still remembers watching his new manager in the club's famous green and white hoops.

"I supported Celtic when I was a kid and I used to go to quite a lot of games during the time Mick was at the club," said Caldwell.

"I saw him play a lot of times when I was younger and he was a player I always admired. I want to achieve the kind of things he achieved as a footballer.

"He seems to be a fair man and I can't wait to start work with him in pre-season. It is good for my confidence that he wanted me to come here.

"All I have ever wanted is a manager who I can trust and I think I have got that now.

"He obviously trusts me and I have never had that before. I hope I can repay his faith by doing well for Sunderland."

Caldwell signed his first professional forms with Newcastle in 1998, but the following six years brought just 20 league starts as he struggled to break into the first-team ranks.

Joining Sunderland has given him a chance to kick-start his career, and he will join a select band of players who have represented both Tyne-Wear rivals when he makes his Black Cats' debut next month.

Lee Clark was the last player to make the switch but, while his Sunderland career ended in acrimony, Caldwell is confident he can win over the Wearside fans.

"It doesn't concern me in the slightest that I have come from Newcastle," he said. "I want to show the Sunderland fans what I'm all about and I hope they will take to me.

"Once the fans see what I'm trying to do, I'm sure it won't concern them either. I will give the club my all.

"I am relishing this season more than any other. Everybody knows what happened at Newcastle, but that is in the past now. I am a Sunderland player now and I will do my best for the club."

l Joseph-Desire Job has given his clearest hint yet that he is ready to sign a new two-year contract with Middlesbrough. The Cameroon international, who is at the end of his current deal with the club, has been stalling over Boro's final contract offer.

A number of French sides have been monitoring his position, with former club Lens leading the overseas chase for the striker.

But, after considering his options, Job is ready to commit himself to the Riverside for another two years.

"The club has ambition and will play in the UEFA Cup next season," he said. "That tipped the scales."

Job has been named in the Cameroon squad for Sunday's World Cup qualifier with Ivory Coast.

l Newcastle have been warned that they risk missing out on transfer target James Milner unless they show their hand this week.

The teenage winger has been repeatedly linked with the Magpies this summer after breaking into the Leeds United first team last season.

But his agent Mick McGuire is due to hold contract talks with Leeds' managing director David Richmond when he returns from holiday this weekend and, if United have not made a formal offer by then, it could well be too late.

Leeds displayed their willingness to sell Milner when they accepted a £4.5m bid from Tottenham last month.

The 18-year-old turned that move down as he did not wish to move from his childhood home, but sources in Yorkshire suggest he would jump at the chance of furthering his career at St James' Park.

Leeds' financial problems mean they would be willing to accept around £3m for the youngster.

Read more about Sunderland here.