Sunderland have signed Cork City midfielder David Meyler on a three-year-deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 19-year-old hopes to follow in the footsteps of fellow Irishmen Daryl Murphy and Roy O'Donovan in establishing himself in the first team.

"I'm here to succeed, I'm not here to fail," said Meyler, who is a friend of new team-mate Liam Miller.

"My ambition is to break into the first team as soon as I can. I want to do it here, and hopefully I can."

Manager Roy Keane played a big part in Meyler's decision, and the Cork-born teenager is keen to return the favour to his new mentor.

"Keane is a legend where I come from, everyone grew up watching him play and that included me," he said.

"He's given me a great opportunity here with Sunderland and obviously I'll hopefully repay him."