Sunderland defender Reece James has joined Doncaster Rovers - just a week after the Black Cats confirmed he had signed a new contract on Wearside.
Former Wigan Athletic left-back James signed for Sunderland last summer on an initial one-year deal, which contained an option to extend for another year.
And last week owner Stewart Donald confirmed that the 25-year-old had committed himself to another season.
But League One rivals Doncaster have since seen Danny Andrew join Joey Barton's Fleetwood Town as a free agent, and they turned to James as his replacement.
Rovers boss Grant McCann confirmed on Monday that an agreement has been reached with another club for a left-back with League One experience, and James was that man.
James has left Sunderland for an undisclosed fee and has penned a two-year deal in South Yorkshire.
McCann said: "We agreed a deal with Danny and his agent which would have seen him rewarded for a good season, we wanted it signed before he got married then before he went on his honeymoon but it didn't happen.
"We then provided a deadline for Danny to sign the contract as we wanted to resolve the situation but were subsequently told by the player's agent he had received an alternative offer.
"Unfortunately that's how football works, but we wish Danny well and thank him for his efforts last season.
"We've known Danny was out of contract for some time so have been exploring other avenues for the past few months to ensure we knew what we would do if he left.
"We've reached an agreement with another club to sign a left back on a permanent deal.
"This player has experience in League One and will be a valuable addition to the club."
James started half of Sunderland's League One games last season, and made 34 appearances in all competitions for the club, despite competing for the left-back role against the vastly-experienced Bryan Oviedo , and one of the club's highly-rated homegrown talents in Denver Hume .
Sunderland are also understood to be interested in Doncaster's John Marquis this summer, and it may be that the Black Cats' willingness to sell James to Doncaster - and the speed with which a deal was reached - could help them in their pursuit of the prolific striker.
