HE has won promotion in each of the last two seasons – now Callum McFadzean wants to complete a notable hat-trick by helping Sunderland reclaim a place in the Championship.

McFadzean signed a one-year deal to join the Black Cats as a free agent earlier this week, having previously turned down the offer of a new contract with Plymouth Argyle.

The 26-year-old has primarily been recruited to provide cover for Denver Hume at left wing-back, although he also played for Plymouth at centre-half and left-wing, and his versatility could prove a major asset given Sunderland’s ongoing defensive issues.

He helped Plymouth win promotion from League Two last season, having previously been part of the Bury side that won promotion to League One in the previous campaign prior to the club’s liquidation.

Having taken part in his first training session as a Sunderland player yesterday, he is hoping to force his way into Phil Parkinson’s first-team plans, and is already targeting what would be the third leg of an impressive promotion treble.

“That’s the 100 per cent aim,” said McFadzean, who has previously represented Scotland at Under-21 level. “I’ve said straight away that that’s what I want to achieve.

“It would be a great achievement for myself, but not just for me, also for the boys and this club. It’s a massive club, and we deserve to be up there.

“I’m here now, and that’s what I want to achieve. I’m raring to go now. I’ve been waiting for this moment, and now it’s here, I’m just itching to go.”

McFadzean’s final appearance for Plymouth came in early March, but having returned to his native Sheffield at the start of the summer when his departure from Home Park was confirmed, the defender has been doing everything possible to keep himself fit.

“It’s obviously difficult times at the minute, strange times, but I’ve been doing PT sessions and one-to-ones,” he said. “I’ve done stuff on my own, but I’ve also been doing group sessions with some lads from Sheffield who also play football.

“I’ve been doing everything possible to keep me ticking over so that now, I’m ready to go.”