KYLE LAFFERTY has signed a deal with Sunderland until the end of the season, but was not signed in time to face Wycombe on Saturday afternoon.

The experienced Northern Ireland international spent time there this week, where he liked what he got to see when he was shown around the facilities and was won over by what manager Phil Parkinson had to say.

Sunderland’s training ground, despite playing in the third tier of the English game for the second season in a row, is of Premier League standard and Lafferty was quick to realise that.

Sources north of the border were informed earlier on Friday that he has chosen the fresh challenge of a spell at Sunderland rather than head back to the Scottish Premier League, where Hearts were keen.

Lafferty has had other options available since leaving Norwegian employers Sarpsborg 08 at the end of his contract.

Sunderland have provided the opportunity to return to England, where he had a stint with Norwich City.

Parkinson said: “I’m pleased to welcome Kyle to the club and I’m really looking forward to working with him.

“He’s an experienced striker who provides us with another option in the final third. He adds competition for places at the top end of the pitch, which is something I felt we needed.”

By and large Lafferty’s career has been spent largely outside of England, although he did have a nine-game loan at Darlington 14 years ago when he moved there temporarily from Burnley and he scored three goals.