It was third time lucky for Sunderland boss Lee Johnson after he finally succeeded in landing Danny Batth this week.
Batth has joined the Black Cats from Stoke City, with Johnson revealing the experienced centre-back turned down offers from the Championship - and more lucrative salary packages - in favour of a move to Wearside.
And for Johnson, it brought to an end a long-running pursuit that started when he was in charge at his former club Bristol City when he twice failed to get his man.
"A couple of times at Bristol City we made the effort but for whatever reason we didn't get the player," said Johnson.
