Ghana deputy captain John Mensah has completed a permanent move to English Premier League side Sunderland, Ghanasoccernet can exclusively reveal.
The deal was sealed late on Wednesday night in Paris after his French club Lyon finally agreed to a deal following weeks of tortuous negotiations.
Mensah agreed personal terms with Sunderland two weeks ago but Lyon's demands delayed the completion of the deal.
With the experienced World Cup defender insisting on playing for Sunderland and not staying Lyon, the French club had no option but to reach a deal with Sunderland.
It was expected that a season's loan deal was on the table but a permanent deal was reached for the services of the 27-year-old.
His agent, Fabien Pivateau revealed that: “John is going to Sunderland but not as loan as be reported .
"The deal is a little bit complex and I will brief you latter , right now is too early to say anything."
Mensah impressed Sunderland last season after managing 16 league appearances due to recurrent injuries.
But he proved his fitness at the top level during the World Cup when he manned Ghana's back line to exit at the quarter-final stage.