Deano Signs

Sunderland AFC today completed the transfer deadline day signing of striker Brian Deane from Leeds

The Yorkshire-born former England international has signed permanentlyon a free transfer until the end of the season.

Mick McCarthy commented:

"Brian will be a terrific addition to our squad for the last seven games of the season. He's an alternative to what we've got at present, and over the last remaining games that type of player could be importrant. He'll thrive on the kind of service we can give him and we're well aware of the problems he can cause teams."

The 37-year-old began his career with Doncaster Rovers in 1985 and, after three years at the Belle Vue Ground, he signed for Sheffield United for £30,000 in July 1988 before signing for home-town club Leeds United for £2.9m in 1993. He re-joined the Blades for £1.5m in 1997 but joined Portuguese giants Benfica for £1m in 1998.

His career then saw him sign for Middlesbrough when Bryan Robson paid £3m for him in 1998, and after three years on Teesside he signed for Leicester City for £150,000 in 2001. He spent the 2003-04 season with West Ham United and has been with Leeds since last summer. He won three England caps during his first spell with Sheffield United in 1992.