Steve Harper joins Sunderland

Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper has linked up with Sunderland until the end of the season.

The 40-year-old spent more than two decades with the Magpies before he opted to join Hull City two seasons ago.

Harper had been a free-agent following his release from the Tigers last summer, and it is now known that he has joined the Black Cats on a short-term deal for the season.

"Steve will be a positive addition to our goalkeeping stable. He has vast experience at the top level and that can only be beneficial to Vito Mannone and Jordan Pickford as they continue to develop," manager Sam Allardyce told the club's official website.

The veteran goalkeeper is known to have recently deleted his twitter account amid abuse from Magpies fans.