“We are absolutely delighted to welcome David Moyes to Sunderland, who was by far and away our first choice,” chairman Ellis Short said.

Sunderland have confirmed the appointment of David Moyes as the club’s new manager after Sam Allardyce’s departure to take the England job.

Moyes has signed a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light, with the role his first in the Premier League since being sacked by Manchester United in April 2014.
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome David Moyes to Sunderland, who was by far and away our first choice,” chairman Ellis Short said.

“He is a man whose football pedigree speaks for itself and is someone I have long admired. I have spoken with him on many occasions and I have always been hugely impressed.

“He was my number one managerial target for the last five appointments, but his desire to honour existing contracts meant we were not able to bring him to Sunderland previously. To be able to finally welcome him as our manager is fantastic news for the club.

“The fact that David has committed to a four-year deal is a clear demonstration of his belief in what he can achieve here.

“It is our aim to become a better, stronger and more stable football club and with a manager of David’s calibre and experience at the helm, we have a fantastic opportunity to begin looking upwards, rather than downwards every season”.