6:53PM, Mon Jul 2, 2012

Sunderland Sign Spanish Defender Carlos Cuellar On Two-Year Deal

By Neal Walker Location: Sunderland

Sunderland have signed defender Carlos Cuellar on a two-year deal.

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The Spaniard became a free agent after leaving Aston Villa following the end of his contract in the summer.

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill brought Cuellar to Villa Park from Rangers for around £7.8m in 2008.

He made 94 appearances for Villa in four seasons at the club, scoring twice.

The player had been linked with a return to Spain with Valencia and Osasuna, while Turkish giants Galatasary and Greek outfit Olympiakos also showed an interest.

"Ever since I heard the rumour that Sunderland were interested in signing me, I wanted to come here," Cuellar told SAFC TV.

"To work again with the gaffer, Martin O'Neill, and with everyone talking so well about the club, I didn't have any problem and said straight away I wanted to come.

"He is so clever, he knows everyone very well and knows how to push everyone to get 100 per cent out of them.

"He gets the best from every player and brings them together to make his teams very competitive."

O'Neill was tasked with steering Sunderland away from relegation danger when he joined the club in December 2011 and his achievements came as no surprise to Cuellar.

"He did so well at Villa," he added. "I know how hard he works and what he can do with his teams. The manager is one of the best. He knows me and I know him. Everything is easy.

"I have been happy working with him before I wanted to do that again.

"Everyone has told me that the atmosphere in the stadium is unbelievable and I know this from playing against Sunderland in the past.

"It is very important to feel that support when you are playing. I am the happiest man to be here, to work and try to show my skills and quality.

"I think we are going to be a hard team to beat. We have good players with quality and can play face-to-face against everyone in the league."

He joins Sunderland in time to play a full part in pre-season, including the club's trip to South Korea for the Peace Cup.

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