Clarke signing confirmed...

Sunderland have confirmed the signing of Republic of Ireland full back Clive Clarke for £400,000.

As expected Clarke is part of the deal that sees George McCartney head to West Ham in a £1m move, meaning Sunderland make a £600,000 profit from the deal.

Quinn confirmed to the club website,

'Clive Clarke is in Sunderland, has passed a medical and is part of a deal that will see George McCartney go to West Ham.

'We searched for a replacement for George as soon as he got his injury and the deal was struck. It cropped up that West Ham would allow us to take Clive, who was our No 1 target, to come here but only if George went the other way.

'We weighed up the options and it was attractive for us because we've a player who is ready-made to come into our team now, when we need him. George was in the last year of his contract and by the time he'd have been fit, he'd be in a position almost to start talking to clubs. We just felt it was the best for everyone at the football club.'

With rumours that McCartney was unsettled at Sunderland and would look for a move away from Wearside when his contract expired at the end of the season, Quinn was forced to consider all options regarding the full back, but insists the sale was not forced upon McCartney, but his own personal choice,

'We said to George that it was his call and if he didn't want any of this to happen, we'd pull it but he went down to West Ham. I think he was pleased to get the opportunity to speak to them and it's developed from there.

'George was not pushed out of the door but the deal suits everybody. He has been a great servant here and I wish him well'

Clive Clarke will now come in to contention for tomorrow's home game against Birmingham, and Quinn is happy with his purchase,

'In Clive Clarke we've got a player who has tasted international football and who wants desperately to do well. He went to West Ham when he had a choice of clubs, got injured just afterwards and then Konchesky took his place.'

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