John O'Shea looks to future with Sunderland

John O'Shea was persuaded to leave Manchester United by the prospect of exciting times ahead at Sunderland under manager Steve Bruce. The 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international last night signed a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light for an undisclosed fee - understood to be in the region of ?5million - to end his long association with the Red Devils. O'Shea said: 'It was one of those things. I was there for 13 years and they were 13 fantastic years. Future boy: O'Shea is confident he can help build a bright future at the Stadium of Light 'But this is a nice new exciting chapter for me now and hopefully we can have good times with Sunderland like I had at Manchester United. 'When I spoke to Steve, the manager, and heard his ideas and the ambition he has shown this summer in the players he is signing and the improvements he wants to make at the club and the strides he wants to make to go forward, I am just looking forward to being a part of it now.'

O'Shea signed for the Black Cats just hours after former United team-mate Wes Brown, 31, had put pen to paper on a contract of the same length, again for an undisclosed fee thought to amount to ?1million. Sunderland made a joint bid of more than ?12million for the pair and midfielder Darron Gibson last month, although it has taken some time to push home their interest. Golden era: O'Shea enjoyed 13 highly successful seasons at Old Trafford In O'Shea's case, however, that was not indicative of any indecision on his part. He said: 'Once I heard reports about the club and the people here, the ambitions and what the manager is all about, it was the only place I was going to come to once I knew the deal was on the table and close to being done. 

'I had to wait a few weeks for the birth of my child - that's why it seems protracted, but it wasn't really, it was fairly straightforward, and I am delighted that it's all been done now.' O'Shea and Brown both boast a glittering array of winners' medals from their time at Old Trafford, but they join the Black Cats as Bruce attempts to make a push towards the upper reaches of the Barclays Premier League. Double deal: Wes Brown made the switch to Sunderland on the same day The Irishman, the manager's eighth summer signing to date, said: 'I am coming to Sunderland now after one of their most successful seasons in the Premier League, and always the aim with every team is to improve on the season before.

'That's what, I am sure, the manager will be drilling into us in pre-season, that we want to improve on the season before, and if we can do that, I'm sure the club and the fans will be delighted.' Bruce is hoping to land his ninth new acquisition today with Blackpool midfielder David Vaughan understood to have travelled to Wearside yesterday with a view to completing a free transfer move. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL GAMEMake mine a treble! Sunderland splurge nears ?30m as Brown, O'Shea and Vaughan sign upO'Shea follows Brown out of Old Trafford as Irishman signs four-year deal at SunderlandSir Alex hails 'great' Brown after long-serving defender leaves Manchester United for Sunderland All the latest Manchester United news, features and opinionAll the latest Sunderland news, features and opinion.