Sunderland have held a press conference to confirm their signing of Marcus Stewart. The Black Cats also unveiled Tore Andre Flo with both fees coming to £10 million.

Stewart has signed a three-year contract at the Stadium of Light and was training with Peter Reid's side this morning.

The fee is the subject of a lot of speculation with some sources claiming £2.5 million, some a million, some just under a million and yet others £1.5 million.

We've heard it suggested from a usually reliable source that it could be as low as £650,000 but that is unconfirmed and as usual the actual figure is likely to be undisclosed.

Despite the low fee, whatever it is, Stewart's wage is likely to have been one of the largest at the club and its removal should make a significant difference to the shortfall.

Stewart and George Burley are widely thought not to have seen eye-to-eye since the end of last season when the manager left the former Huddersfield man on the bench as Town desperately tried to save themselves from relegation.

The striker met the Town manager shortly after the end of the season and, although the meeting's details were not revealed, reading between the lines it appeared that Stewart was not happy at the club.

He was also left on the bench for the first home game against Walsall and was again said to be less than impressed.

The move to Sunderland has been on the cards all summer and it seems likely that Peter Reid was awaiting any developments before making his move at the end of the transfer window.

In the context of Town's financial situation and the likelihood of Stewart wanting Premiership football his move hardly seems a surprise.

Despite this, his departure sees yet another member of the Wembley and fifth-placed Premiership season side on his way which will be a disappointment to many fans.

TWTD wishes him all the best for the future.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls