Aiden O'Brien has sealed a deadline day move to Sunderland's League One rivals Portsmouth.
The forward has been a peripheral figure this season and was keen to play regular first-team football, with the Black Cats agreeing that he could leave Wearside this month.
O'Brien's contract with Sunderland was due to expire in the summer but his time has been cut short and he has instead signed a short-term deal with Pompey until the end of the season.
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Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman explained: "Aiden's contract was due to expire this summer and although he has had impactful moments throughout the season, he has consistently voiced his desire to play regular football.
"We feel this move gives him the best opportunity to secure more playing time whilst also supporting his career in the long-term and we wish him well for the future."
Pompey boss Danny Cowley added: "We're really pleased to sign Aiden and from the moment I spoke to him, there was an energy and enthusiasm to join us.
"We're lucky to be at such a renowned football club because there are so many players who want to come here.
"Aiden brings us many different qualities and can play across the forward line, making penetrative runs.
"He looks after the ball well and links the play, while he can also drive forward and is always a goal threat.
"We're really looking forward to him being part of this group and he knows quite a few of the lads already, which is important when you arrive on a short-term contract."
O'Brien follows in the footsteps of Black Cats defender Denver Hume, who moved to Fratton Park last week.
O'Brien was was close to leaving on deadline day in August and a loan deal was agreed with Doncaster Rovers but Sunderland were unable to complete the paperwork in time.
He was a bit-part player under recently departed head coach Lee Johnson in the first two-thirds of the season, scoring two league goals in 17 appearances, only seven of which were starts.
His best moments this term came in Sunderland's Carabao Cup run, with the 28-year-old scoring four goals in five outings in that competition, including a hat-trick in the second round win at Championship Blackpool.
O'Brien joined Sunderland in the summer of 2020 after leaving Millwall, and was brought to the club by then-boss Phil Parkinson.
He signed a two-year contract at Sunderland which was due to expire this summer.
Overall, the former Republic of Ireland international has made 65 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 12 goals.
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