O'Neill wins defender race

Martin O'Neill has secured the services of free agent Carlos Cuellar after fending off interest from other clubs to sign the defender.

The Black Cats boss signed the 30-year-old once before, when he landed him for Aston Villa from Rangers back in 2008, and has been keen to work with the Spaniard again. Olympiacos and Sevilla had also registered an interest in the player, who is now available for nothing after seeing his contract run out at Villa Park. After holding talks over the weekend, the centre-back has decided to seal a move to Wearside and has penned a two-year deal at the Stadium of Light.