Preston North End have secured the services of Ross Wallace on a permanent basis.
The Sunderland player has been on loan with the Championship club since the start of the season but that deal has turned into a long-term agreement.
"I was always hopeful of staying at Preston," Wallace told the club's official website.
"The loan deal was until the end of the season, but we have managed to get a deal done.
"The last few months have been good. I've enjoyed my time at Deepdale and I am delighted to be here for the next four-and-a-half years.
"I came to Preston to play games and I have done that. We have a good team and a good bunch of lads here and hopefully within the time I am here we can achieve our aim, which is to get to the Premiership."