Sunderland have completed the signing of centre-back Bailey Wright on a permanent deal following his successful loan last season.
The Australian becomes Phil Parkinson's second signing of the summer, following the capture of Aiden O'Brien on Thursday.
Wright joins on a free transfer having left Bristol City this summer. He has signed a two-year deal at the Stadium of Light.
On completing the move, Wright said: "It feels really good to get the deal done and I just can’t wait to get up to the North East and join the squad.
"Although I only worked with the manager for a short spell, I really enjoyed the structure and discipline of the team. He expects his players to give everything on the pitch and be good people, and we have that culture within the dressing room.
"We are heading in the right direction and I’m very confident we can achieve our ambitions next season.”
Manager Phil Parkinson added: “I’m delighted to have signed Bailey. He’s a very good player, but he’s also an excellent character and leader.
"He’s a really important signing for us and because of his quality, there was plenty of competition for his signature, so I’d like to credit the owner and Jim Rodwell for getting the deal over the line.”
Wright's move comes after he took an opportunity to impress last term after arriving on loan in the January window. He immediately helped solidify the Black Cats' defence, helping to keep four clean sheets in his five appearances.
Sadly, the 28-year-old suffered ankle ligament damage in the victory over Oxford United at the end of February, ultimately ending his season prematurely. Ultimately, the season would only run another five games before coronavirus caused it to be curtailed, but Parkinson's side won just one of those five games in Wright's absence, only managing to keep a single clean sheet.
Picking up just two points from their final four proved very costly, with the season decided on a points-per-game ratio that saw Sunderland finish eighth and outside the play-off places.
It left many wondering what might have been had Wright not suffered his injury.
His career has been somewhat plagued by injuries, but he made a big impression on Wearside, and made clear from the moment he arrived he was here to earn a permanent deal. He even moved to the area immediately and the club allowed him to go through rehabilitation for the injury at the club's world-class facilities at the Academy of Light.
And that recovery, coupled with what Wright showed he is capable of in five games, have convinced Sunderland to take the risk on the Ex-Robins captain, with Parkinson hoping a strong pre-season and close monitoring during the campaign, will help see him play an important part in Sunderland's push for promotion.
