Kilgallon usually plays in central defence but is comfortable at left-back

Sunderland have signed defender Matthew Kilgallon from Sheffield United on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

The cost is undisclosed but BBC Radio Sheffield understands the clubs agreed a fee of around £2m for the 26-year-old, who had also interested Burnley.

The York-born former England Under-21 international joined the Blades from Leeds for £1.75m in January 2007.

He made 124 appearances for them in three seasons and was voted their fans' player of the 2008-09 campaign.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce said: "Matthew is a very talented defender and has been coveted by a number of top-flight clubs recently, so I'm very pleased to have brought him here.

"He will add to our options across the back ahead of some very important games. I'm sure he'll prove a great signing."

Kilgallon is not available for Sunderland's FA Cup fourth round trip to Portsmouth on Saturday as he had already appeared in the competition for the Blades this season.

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