Nyron Nosworthy says he's already struck a good understanding with new Sunderland signing Anton Ferdinand.

"I went to school with his cousin so I've known him since I was a boy," he said.

"Now he's here it's nice to bump into him again. I've never played with him as a youngster but I followed his progress from when he joined West Ham, next thing I see him playing for them on TV and that was that.

"There was a good understanding (with Ferdinand at Wigan). But with Jonny (Evans) and Danny (Collins) it was the same, they've all got that will to win.

"Anton is a cool, calm, collected person like myself so it makes it easy to build a partnership."

Seven players have moved to Sunderland from London clubs this year and having joined from Gillingham three years ago, the defender sees himself as a role model for them.

"I think I'm a focal point for the southern boys who move here," he told The Journal. "They say, 'He's done it so I can give it a go.' But when they see the facilities, the massive steps we've made and the direction of the club it's an easy choice.

"It's helped Anton relax having people he can relate to at Sunderland. Things have changed since I moved here but there's always been a nice atmosphere at the club, a warm welcome so moving here wasn't a problem.

"But once Anton came up here and the gaffer told him his plans for the club it was easy for him to make the move."