Sunderland's lengthy pursuit of teenage wonderkid Julio Arca finally ended in success yesterday.

Manager Peter Reid completed the £3.5m signing of 19-year-old Arca, who he spotted playing in an under-21 international against England last season.

Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle were also interested in the South American, who played in midfield or defence for Argentinos Juniors.

But Arca, rated a certainty be be capped at senior level, said: "I'm happy to be joining Sunderland. I want to gain a place in the side and win some trophies."

Reid said: "I've watched him since the under-21 game and I'm very pleased to have him on board."

Arca is the most expensive signing in Sunderland's history after £4m midfielder Stefan Schwarz, but Reid hopes to smash the record by landing Arsenal's Ray Parlour.

Slovan Bratislava's Stanislav Varga will also move to the Stadium of Light for £1m this week.

Sunderland play their second pre-season friendly tonight against Belgian club KV Mechelen, with strikers Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn likely to be involved after sitting out the first game at Le Havre.

Winger Nicky Summerbee will give Bradford chairman Geoffrey Richmond his answer in the next 48 hours on a proposed £1.5m move to Valley Parade after being handed a significant pay rise to join the Bantams.

But, despite the increase in his weekly pay packet compared to his earnings at Sunderland, Summerbee has stalled after being stunned by the Black Cats' decision to let him go.

The 28-year-old, who will be offered a four-year contract should he choose to accept Bradford's offer, looks poised for showdown talks with Sunderland boss Peter Reid and if Summerbee fails to gain the assurances he needs, with a year remaining on his current Sunderland deal, then it is likely he will make the switch to Bradford.

Agent Scott McGarvey said: ''After three-and-a-half years at Sunderland, it came as a bit of a shock when Nicky realised the club were prepared to let him go."

l Two goals in 12 first-half minutes spell gave Bishop Auckland a deserved 2-0 win over a Sunderland team containing only four players with first team experience last night.

Sunderland disappointed, carving out few scoring chances, and although they had most of the possession they failed to upset a well organised Bishops team.

Tony Lee, Bishops' manager, said "I know we're at an early stage in pre-season but I thought we were outstanding.

"We defended extremely well, limiting them to just a couple of good chances. We were delighted with the result. We have done really well."

Sunderland included Summerbee and Honduran striker Milton Nunez.

In the final minute of the game Nunez displayed exception skill but Bishops goalkeeper Steve Jones saved the day.

Alex Rae worked hard in midfield for Sunderland and was never far away from the action. His hard work almost brought a goal in the 12th minute but Jones made a good save.

Bishops got off to a perfect start, taking a seventh minute lead through David Bayles.

Bishops went two up after 19 minutes. Andrew Shaw headed on a long clearance from Jones for the impressive Danny Brunskill to score.

That could be his last goal for the Bishops because later this week he is expected to make a move to Torquay United, where he will link up with former Newcastle defender Wes Saunders, who is in charge at Plainmoor.

Two minutes from the interval Shaw almost added a third for the Bishops but pulled his shot just wide and Mark Foster, one of five substitutes used by the Bishops, just failed to make a crucial connection with Brunskill's cross late in the game.

Bishop Auckland: Jones, Nelson, Dunn, Howarth, Hutt, Downey, Lake, Bayles, Shaw, Brunskill, Gallagher. Subs (not used): Adams, Dunwell, Foster, Allinson, Green.

Sunderland: Marriott, Morgan, Lynch, Ramsden, James, Rae, Summerbee, McGhie, Marchant, Nunez, McGill. Subs (not used): Black, Ingham