SUNDERLAND have completed the signing of free agent Bradley Dack - and in a double transfer boost for the Black Cats he'll soon be joined by teenage striker Eliezer Mayenda.

Dack has joined Sunderland on an initial one-year deal after leaving Blackburn Rovers at the end of last season, with the Wearsiders having the option of extending his stay by a further 12 months.

The arrival of the 29-year-old is a major boost for Tony Mowbray, who knows Dack well from their time together at Ewood Park.

Dack said: “It feels brilliant to be here. It’s clear to see the club is on an upwards trajectory and it’s great to be on board.  

"To play in front of 40,000 people every week at the Stadium of Light was a huge pull for me, there’s not many teams in England can produce those numbers. I hope my experience and style of play can add something different to the group, and I can’t wait to pull on the shirt for the first time.”

Dack made 173 appearances during his six-year stay at Ewood Park, scoring 57 goals, but opted to leave Rovers at the end of last season in search of more regular action elsewhere after having to settle for a squad role last term.

A two-time EFL League One Player of the Year and PFA League One Player of the Year, Dack was also Blackburn's Player of the Year in 2017/18 when Mowbray's side won promotion to the Championship.

Mowbray was instrumental in the signing of Dack, with the Sunderland head coach stressing the importance of bringing in some experience this summer to ensure there's the right balance in the squad alongside the talented youngsters who've already arrived.

Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: "We are delighted to welcome Bradley to Sunderland AFC.  

"He’s an attacking midfielder with different qualities to others we have within the squad, and we feel he can add a different dimension to our team. He brings a wealth of experience, but also a personality that can help us on and off the field. It’s great to welcome him to the club and to see him so excited by the opportunity this move represents.”

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Dack is expected to be swiftly followed through the door by 18-year-old Mayenda.

Mowbray revealed earlier this week that he was confident a new striker would arrive before the start of the Championship season, and Sunderland yesterday made a breakthrough in their summer-long pursuit of Mayenda.

The Black Cats had numerous bids for the teenager knocked back by Sochaux, despite the fact the French second tier side are facing financial difficulties. But an agreement has now been reached between the two clubs and the move is expected to be finalised before the end of the week.

Mayenda made 15 appearances for Sochaux last season, scoring one goal and is a former Spain Under-17 international.

The addition of another striker has always been a priority for Sunderland this summer but became even more important after Mowbray's admission earlier this week that Ross Stewart won't be fit to return until the end of September.

That leaves Hemir as the only fit striker on the club's books.

While Mayenda is raw and inexperienced, Dack is nothing of the sort - vital in the eyes of Mowbray, who identified the need for more experience.

Earlier this summer, Mowbray said: "We've had that conversation. The powers that be and myself have had them conversations. It's great to have so many young players but we have to balance it off a little bit.

"When the tough days come, and they will come throughout the season, you need a bit of experience in your dressing room to calm things down. It's OK the gaffer saying we'll be alright, keep going, don't listen to the negativity, it's always more powerful coming from the dressing room and the senior players."