Danny Higginbotham is delighted with his move to Sunderland.

The former Stoke City defender joined the Black Cats in a £3 million deal as part of a triple swoop by manager Roy Keane which also included Kenwyne Jones (Southampton) and Ian Harte (Levante).

Higginbotham said: "It shows what the club is all about. They are not here just to stay for one season, they want to make a go of it and establish themselves in the Premier League.

"People are saying they have spent money, but if that's the situation, that's great.

"They can bring players in and hopefully get the team sorted in the Premier League and be here for a long time to come."

League defeats by Wigan and Liverpool, coupled with the Carling Cup reverse at Luton, have taken the edge off a promising start to the season, but Higginbotham is sure the tide will turn.

He said: "In a Premier League season, you are always going to have your ups and downs. Teams coming up, it is always going to be a difficult situation.

"But from my experience of playing against Sunderland last year, they are a team that is full of character and they never throw the towel in."