Sunderland have signed George McCartney from West Ham United, with the Hammers allowing the defender to leave Upton Park after handing in a transfer request.

The Black Cats had an offer of £4,5million rejected by the East London side earlier in the summer, but despite signing a new five-year deal in July, McCartney has opted to join the club he left in 2006, with the Northern Ireland International citing family reasons for his transfer request.

McCartney will now make the move to the Stadium of Light after Sunderland manager Roy Keane made an improved offer to take the defender back to the North East.

McCartney said: “I had two great seasons with West Ham and I'd like to thank them for giving me the opportunity to play for a club with the history they have and their fantastic supporters. But for personal reasons alone, this is the right move for me.

“My wife, Elaine, didn't settle in London and Sunderland have offered me the chance to return to the north-east, where I spent ten years after joining the club as a youngster," McCartney added. "I'd like to wish West Ham and Alan Curbishley all the very best of luck.”

West Ham United CEO Scott Duxbury added: ‘We had no intention of selling George McCartney but it became clear in the last couple of days after he handed in a written transfer request that he was desperate to move on for family reasons. Once Sunderland came in with an improved offer, we decided the deal was in the best interests of all parties.”