Sunderland are delighted to have added the expertise of new football director Lee Congerton.

Manager Gus Poyet and chief executive Margaret Byrne conducted the club's business in January as Liam Bridcutt, Oscar Ustari, Marcos Alonso, Santiago Vergini and Ignacio Scocco were drafted in, but the newcomer will now take over many of those duties.

Byrne said: "Lee is very highly regarded within football circles and we have been very impressed by him.

"We feel he is the perfect fit for the club in terms of developing our player recruitment strategy and helping to take the club forward."