Cana joins Black Cats

Marseilles Captain Lorik Cana has joined Sunderland for £5m.

Albanian international Cana, 25, has signed a 4-year contract. He replaces former captain Dean Whitehead, who left the Black Cats for Stoke earlier on Friday.

Speaking to the club's official website, Bruce stated: 'I'm delighted to have brought Lorik to the club, especially given the number of clubs who had expressed an interest in signing him.'

'He brings with him a tremendous amount of experience both at club level and internationally and is a great addition to our squad.

'To captain a side of Marseille's stature says a lot about the player and his character, and I'm sure he'll go on to be a fantastic signing for Sunderland.'

Cana reflects somewhat of a coup for the Black Cats, with Everton and Liverpool previously mentioned as suitors for the soon-to-be 26-year-old. He certainly seems as an upgrade to the recently departed Dean Whitehead, and therefore few Sunderland fans will be disappointed in how events have turned out.

Cana joins Frazier Campbell and Paulo Da Silva as the new arrivals at the Stadium of Light. One would hope that he`s not the last either.

• Earlier tonight, Sunderland lost 2-0 to Benfica in their first game in the Amsterdam Tournament. The Black Cats will now face Atletico Madrid on Sunday in their final game of the competition.

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