SUNDERLAND have confirmed Grant Leadbitter's return to the Stadium of Light from Middlesbrough.

Leadbitter has signed a two-and-a-half year deal on Wearside, and will be available to start his second spell with the Black Cats in Saturday's League One home game with AFC Wimbledon.

Leadbitter said: "I’m absolutely delighted to be back, I’m buzzing.

"When you’re a born-and-bred Sunderland fan and there’s an opportunity to come back to the football club, well, I was never going to say no I can tell you that.

"I’m here to do a job and help the club. The football club means a lot to me for sentimental reasons, but I’ve spoken to Jack Ross a lot in the last few days, and I’m excited by his plans.

"I share his ambitions and I really can’t wait to get going."

The 33-year-old, who hails from Fencehouses, joined Sunderland's youth academy at the age of 16 and made his professional debut for the club in September 2003.

He made 123 senior appearances for the Black Cats, helping them win promotion from the Championship under Roy Keane, before leaving to join Ipswich Town in 2009.

He moved on to Middlesbrough in 2012, and proved a hugely influential figure on Teesside, where he was appointed club captain.

He made more than 200 league starts for Boro, but his last involvement in the Championship came in mid-August, and Tony Pulis has allowed him to move on.

He becomes Sunderland's second signing of the January window, following defendner Jimmy Dunne, who joined on loan from Burnley.

Sunderland boss Jack Ross said: "We haven’t brought Grant back for sentimental reasons, he could have easily continued his career in the Championship.

"Once I started speaking to him, I had a real feel for how desperate he was to come back to Sunderland, and how much he wants to help take the club back to where he feels it belongs.

"He understands we have a long path ahead of us, but his playing career speaks for itself, and he’s ready to play his part."