Sunderland have confirmed the signing of defender Carlos Cuellar on a two-year contract following his release by Aston Villa, while losing George McCartney to West Ham on a two-year deal.

The 30-year-old Cuellar was allowed to leave Villa Park at the end of his contract and his move to Sunderland sees the Spaniard reunited with Martin O'Neill.

He was linked with a return to his former team Osasuna, while the likes of Valencia, Galatasaray and Olympiakos were also rumoured to be interested. However, Sunderland were always the favourites to get him and he has now finalised his move to the Stadium of Light.

Full-back McCartney, meanwhile, has made the move to Upton Park permanent after a successful loan spell last term.

McCartney found himself well down the pecking order at Sunderland and Black Cats boss Martin O'Neill is happy to let him move on.

The Northern Ireland international is happy to seal his move back to East London on a permanent basis: "I am delighted to be coming back to West Ham and this time on a permanent basis," McCartney told the club's official website.

"It was great to be part of the side that won promotion for the club last season. It was a fantastic way to end the campaign last year and I am really looking forward to being back in the Premier League with West Ham."