Sunderland Manager Roy Keane has completed the transfer of defender Anton Ferdinand from West Ham United for an undisclosed fee. He is Keane’s ninth signing of the summer so far and joins the likes of Steed Malbranque and Djibri Cisse at the Stadium of Light.

Ferdinand will add some defensive steel to the Black Cats and Keane admits that this is an area that they needed to improve on. He said “We needed to strengthen our defence and Anton is a great signing…He'll bring in quality and competition for places, which we need."

The 23 year old England U21 International has been at West Ham for his entire career after first signing professional terms in 2003. He leaves Upton Park having made 138 appearances and scoring 5 goals. He said “It was hard leaving West Ham…but this is great challenge for me and I feel it is an exciting time at Sunderland. I think the move will do me good."

Ferdinand is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, but once fit will wear the Number Three shirt for the Black Cats.