Town have confirmed the signings of Grant Leadbitter and Carlos Edwards from Sunderland. Edwards has put pen to paper on a two-year deal, while Leadbitter has signed for three years.
The Black Cats have confirmed that they will receive up to £2.6 million for Leadbitter and £1.35 million for Edwards, although it is likely that smaller fees will be paid up front with further cash due after set numbers of appearances and promotion. The duo are amongst a number of Sunderland players to be linked with the Blues throughout the summer.
Chester-le-Street-born Leadbitter, who has won England caps at U20 and U21 levels, is a Sunderland fan from childhood, coming the youth system on Wearside.
The 5ft 9 in tall midfielder, who Keane compared to Paul Scholes in style during his time at the Stadium of Light, made his first team debut in the 2003/04 season and has now made 69 starts and 54 sub appearances, scoring 11 goals.
Sunderland’s longest-serving player until completing his move, Leadbitter spent time on loan at Rotherham in 2005.
Edwards, like Leadbitter a key member of Roy Keane’s Sunderland side, was reportedly watched by Town in 2004 during his time at Wrexham.
The Trinidad and Tobago international eventually moved on to Luton in 2005 on a free transfer, having joined Wrexham from Defence Force in his home country in 1999.
The 5ft 11in tall right-sided winger, who can also operate at full-back, joined Keane's Sunderland for £1.5 million in January 2007.
Capped 74 times by his country, scoring four goals, Edwards's first season at the Stadium of Light was hampered by a hamstring problem and then a broken leg. Those injuries limited the 30-year-old's Sunderland appearances to 37 starts and 19 games from the bench, yielding five goals.
Last season, Edwards, who is contracted to the Black Cats until 2010, spent a month on loan at Wolves, making five starts and one sub appearance but failing to score.
The midfielder, who played every minute of Trinidad and Tobago's games at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, including their 2-0 defeat to England, is currently away with his national side ahead of games against Honduras and the US.