Sunderland have confirmed the signing of veteran goalkeeper Steve Harper until the end of the season.
The 40-year-old, who spent 20 years at arch-rivals Newcastle United, will be the Black Cats’ third choice goalkeeper behind Vito Mannone and Jordan Pickford, providing valuable experience for the pair of them.
Manager Sam Allardyce, who has been looking for a backup goalkeeper since the departure of Costel Pantilimon, told the club’s official website:
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 and Jordan as they continue to develop. He knows the club well and, as an Easington lad born and bred, he needs no introduction to Sunderland.
The 6ft 1 keeper has been without a club since leaving Hull City in the summer, keeping three clean sheets in the last seven games of the season.
