London  - Sunderland manager Steve Bruce expressed his delight on Tuesday after snapping up central defender Michael Dawson from Hull City.

The 25-year-old, who has joined for an undisclosed fee, is the seventh new player to arrive at the Stadium of Light this summer, following Darren Bent, Lee Cattermole, Fraizer Campbell, Lorik Cana, Paulo da Silva and loanee John Mensah.

He has agreed a four-year deal. "I believe that Michael is one of the country's premier central defenders," said Bruce.

"I have been looking to add size and strength to the back line and Michael fits the bill perfectly in that respect, as well as being an excellent technical footballer.

"His aerial ability provides us with another dimension at set-pieces at either end of the field, and I am delighted that he has chosen to buy into what we are trying to achieve here at Sunderland.

"He has developed immeasurably as a player whilst with Hull - I am extremely confident he will continue that progress with Sunderland and go on to be a big success."

He is the third central defender Bruce has signed, perhaps an indication of his fears for his side's rearguard after they looked vulnerable under aerial bombardment both in their 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers and in the 1-0 defeat at Stoke City on Saturday.

A clear-out of Sunderland's defence seems also to be underway with Paul McShane joining Hull, Danny Collins in talks with Hull, and Nyron Nosworthy the subject of interest from Portsmouth.

Other overnight business saw Stoke City sign Uruguay midfielder Diego Arismendi from Club Nacional for 2.6 million pounds (4.3 million dollars), while Wolverhampton Wanderers signed giant Austria striker Stefan Maierhofer from Rapid Vienna. (dpa)