? 'It was the only place I was going to come,' says defender
? O'Shea follows Wes Brown in moving from United to Wearside
John O'Shea has signed a four-year deal to join Wes Brown in moving from Manchester United to Sunderland.
The 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international travelled to Wearside for a medical on Thursday morning to become Steve Bruce's eighth summer signing. Like Brown, he has joined for an undisclosed fee after United last month accepted a joint offer of more than �12m for the pair and the midfielder Darron Gibson.
"Once I'd heard reports about the club and the people here, the ambitions and what the manager was all about, it was the only place I was going to come to," O'Shea said.
Bruce, Sunderland's manager, said: "John has been a solid, consistent part of Manchester United's squad for well over a decade, which goes to show the fantastic pedigree of player we have signed. He is a wonderful professional both on and off the field and his wealth of experience and versatility will be great attributes for us. I'm delighted with the players we have been able to secure ahead of the new season."
O'Shea won five Premier League titles, an FA Cup, three League Cups and a Champions League at Old Trafford.
He made almost 400 appearances for United during 13 years with the club and it was initially thought he would take some persuading to leave. He had to delay talks this week as his wife gave birth but tied up his move swiftly on Thursday.
Brown, 31, made only 63 of his 361 United appearances over the past three Premier League campaigns, with injuries taking their toll.
He told SAFC TV: "Last season I was fine, I just didn't get into the team, so it was a little bit frustrating. But that's football and you move on. I am just delighted to be here now to help Sunderland push forward. Personally, it would be good to be playing every week, trying to help the team win and playing well.
"Club-wise, everyone will be looking to push the club forward and start challenging for those European places, and who knows beyond there? That's what teams always aim for at the beginning of the season and we will be no different. But obviously the squad will be a lot stronger."
Brown admitted that the hunger to be playing every week made his decision to leave United reasonably straightforward, but he had several clubs to choose from and Bruce was a major factor in his choice.
"He's been great over the last few weeks when I have been talking to him," Brown said. "Straight away I said it would be great if I could join and we could get it all sorted, and we have done and I am here. When I was younger I used to watch Steve and I have known him a little bit as well, so it was fine."
Bruce, who launched his joint bid for the United trio as Jordan Henderson headed for Liverpool last month, was thrilled to have signed the defender.
"We are delighted to welcome a player of Wes's ability, experience and character to the club. He has been a fantastic professional for Manchester United through the years and not only will he strengthen our defensive options, he will also bring with him a winning mentality and level of maturity which can only be positive for the players around him."
Sunderland are closing in on a free transfer deal for the Blackpool midfielder David Vaughan.
In a busy day for the Wearside club, the legal director Margaret Byrne was appointed as the new chief executive and Bryan "Pop" Robson returned as chief scout.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jul/07/john-oshea-manchester-united-sunderland
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