The Black Cats have signed their former midfield ace from Middlesbrough, more than nine years after leaving the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland have announced the re-signing of their former midfielder Grant Leadbitter on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
The 33-year-old, a lifelong Black Cats fan, has returned to the Stadium of Light from Middlesbrough, more than nine years after leaving for Ipswich Town in September 2009.
Leadbitter progressed through the Sunderland ranks and made his first-team debut in September 2003, coming off the bench in a League Cup tie against Huddersfield Town, according to the official Black Cats website.
Boro signed Leadbitter from the East Anglian side in 2012 and he made 244 appearances for the Teesside club, playing a key role in their promotion to the Premier League in 2016.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be back, I’m buzzing,” Leadbitter told the official Sunderland website after the move was confirmed.
“When you’re a born-and-bred Sunderland fan and there’s an opportunity to come back to the football club, well, I was never going to say no I can tell you that.”
Here is some of the reaction on Twitter from the Black Cats faithful upon finding out their hometown lad had made his return:
Leadbitter has not made a Championship appearance since August 7 in Boro’s second match of the season, the 3-0 win over Sheffield United.
Sunderland are fifth in League One, with their next game at the SoL against AFC Wimbledon.
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