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.
"You stay in contact and therefore the player knows that there's a history there, he knows you're not looking at him as a random quick fix.
"He's here to add to the quality that we've already got and hopefully bring more clean sheets to the party, because our attacking play at times has been absolutely phenomenal.
"Danny was adamant from the start that this was the club he wanted to be at.
"There was interest in him at Championship level and from top clubs in League One, but we managed to win the day.
"I don't think we made the highest financial offer for him, and I think that shows the quality of the man and that he has bought into the project as much as trying to secure his and his family's future.
"He was keen to come here and we have to respect the board for pushing the boat out."
Johnson describes Batth as a 'master of the dark arts' in terms of physicality and in the air, and he believes the 31-year-old adds the kind of presence that Sunderland need in both penalty areas.
He said: "Danny tends to dominate the boxes, and that's the key part to his game.
"Physically and aerially he is a master of the dark arts.
"He was one of those people whose name you didn't want to see on the teamsheet.
"He's 6ft 3in, but he's 6ft 5in really! He's one of those players with a big head, big shoulders - he's a beast of a man, and he owns his space.
"You'd be mad not to want those individuals in your team, particularly if they come with a really top individual as well.
"It's always the human aspect for me, because I know what he is like as an individual, as a person, as a leader, and that's really important.
But iIn the signing of Danny, it gives us that option of having that dominant one that I think we've needed.
"I'll be honest, I think we would have won more games this year if we had had that from the start because it might have lifted the weight and the burden from a couple of the other players."
Sunderland announced that Batth had signed an 18-month contract on Wearside, but it is understood that the deal contains an option to extend his stay by another 12 months.
Johnson said: "It's so hard to talk about contract clauses and things like that, but there's always protection in there both ways.
"The reality is that Danny can be here as long as he wants to be here, and as long as he's performing.
"If he's playing and is part of a winning, successful, team then the club will want to keep you.
"If you've got a top attitude and you're making other players better, and I think Danny has the capability to do that - he's only 31!"
Sunderland have made a concerted effort to lower the average of their squad this season, releasing a host of older players last summer and bringing in younger men in their late teens and early 20s.
But they have combined those younger players with some senior additions, with 31-year-old midfielder Corry Evans joining in the summer, while 35-year-old Aiden McGeady was given a contract extension.
Johnson said: "We're not averse to signing senior players - we re-signed Aiden McGeady.
"We want to develop our players and our assets, but for the team and in order to build a sustainable club. We are right on track for that.
"We're doing really well with the players that we have bought, the players that we have brought through, the players we have got in the academy.
"There's so much excitement around our young players and we can't forget that, but at the same time it's about having a blend.
"You'd always rather a team of 21-year-olds because their bodies are probably going to be more resilient, but one of the big things with Danny at his age is that his injury record is superb.
"If you look at the minutes he has played throughout his career, I don't think he has a major injury in something like eight years.
"That shows that an individual is looking after himself."
For the latest Sunderland news direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
