Sunderland have signed striker Will Grigg from Wigan Athletic, the League One club have announced.
The Black Cats completed the reported £4million deal at the 11th hour of Thursday’s transfer deadline day with the official confirmation coming on Friday morning.
They have been pursuing the striker for most of January and were in need of some extra firepower up front after the sale of Josh Maja to Bordeaux.
Grigg, 27, scored 19 goals in Wigan’s promotion to the Championship last season but has found the net just three times this season.
Sunderland are understood to have made six bids for Grigg during the transfer window. Their fifth was thought to be an offer of £1.25million plus add-ons but Wigan were holding firm in their valuation.
The Black Cats also had a bid of £1.25million turned down for Doncaster Rovers striker John Marquis.
Grigg, who has won promotion from League One four times in the past five years, scored 65 goals in 150 appearances for the Latics.
Wigan boss Paul Cook told his club’s official website: “The club desperately wanted to keep Will but this is an offer we simply couldn’t refuse.
“This comes with so much emotional attachment because Will is so popular with our supporters and is somebody who has given everyone associated with the club so many great moments during, not just my time as the club’s manager, but throughout his three and a half years at Wigan Athletic.
“We all wish Will the very best for the future.”
Grigg joins Jimmy Dunne, Grant Leadbitter, Lewis Morgan and Kazaiah Sterling in moving to the Stadium of Light during the transfer window, while Max Power’s loan deal was also made permanent.
More to follow…