Sunderland have announced the signing of former Aston Villa defender Carlos Cuellar on a two-year deal.

PA PhotosCarlos Cuellar was available on a free transfer following the expiry of his Aston Villa contract

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Cuellar, 30, was available on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Villa Park, and had also been linked with Sevilla in his native Spain.

However, he now links up with Martin O'Neill at Sunderland, with the former Villa boss having paid £7.8 million to sign him from Rangers in 2008.

Cuellar, O'Neill's first permanent signing since taking charge of Sunderland in December, is capable of playing at centre-back or full-back.