Poom sticks with Sunderland

Sunderland AFC have moved to sign Estonian international Mart Poom on a three-year contract after his recent loan spell at the club.

Delayed debut
The fee involved could rise as high as €3.8m, depending on Sunderland remaining in the Premiership and Poom playing a certain amount of games. He is yet to make his debut for the Black Cats despite joining from first division club Derby County FC in November, having suffered a back injury on international duty days after his move.

Permanent deal
However, a permanent deal was agreed at the time with special dispensation from the Football Association due to Sunderland's injury crisis at the time, but an announcement was held back until the transfer window opened this month.

Second English spell
The 30-year-old has been capped 86 times, and impressed for Derby when he began his second spell in English football after a €780,000 move from FC Flora in 1997. He previously played for Portsmouth FC between 1994 and 1996.

Wilkinson praise
Sunderland manager Howard Wilkinson said: "It is great to be able to secure the services of a much sought-after keeper. Poom has attracted interest from some of Europe's top clubs. He is an experienced and proven Premiership goalkeeper. I have watched him closely for some years now and have been very impressed."

'I am very pleased'
Poom added on Sunderland's official website: "I am very pleased to have finalised my move to Sunderland and have enjoyed my time here so far."

Relegation threat
However, he faces another race against relegation with Sunderland third from bottom of the division - having pipped Derby to survival last season. Poom is expected to be fit in two weeks' time, but must displace in-form Austrian goalkeeper Jürgen Macho.