Tommy Miller's free transfer to Sunderland was confirmed this afternoon at a press conference at the Stadium of Light. Miller has signed a two-year deal with the Black Cats.

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy was pleased to have won the race to sign the 26-year-old: "Tommy was one of the top players in the Championship last year, scoring 15 goals from midfield. He has been chased by a number of clubs, but we've got him and we're delighted.

"He's a local lad and the prospect of playing for his home town club has clearly been the decider for him."

Miller says he is hopeful that the newly-promoted Wearsiders can avoid the drop: "There is a massive step from the Championship to the Premier League and it is going to be hard.

"As you saw last season with the teams that went up, they struggle, so it is going to be hard.

"But with the players Mick has brought in, he is quite confident - and I am quite confident with the players we have got here as well - that we can have a good season and hopefully prove the doubters wrong, because I am sure we will be favourites for the drop."

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