We are delighted to confirm the loan signing of Sunderland midfielder Liam Bridcutt.

Bridcutt, who made his name in the Championship during a four-year spell with Brighton, arrives on an emergency loan deal until the start of January.

The 26-year-old becomes Steve Evans’ first new addition to the squad since taking charge of the club last month.

Bridcutt has 30 Premier League appearances to his name after joining the Black Cats in January 2014, but the midfielder has found himself out of the picture at the Stadium of Light this season and is yet to feature.

“This is a great opportunity for me to get some games,” he said.

“I’ve been speaking to the manager and he’s given me a great opportunity to come and play for a brilliant club.

“It’s been on and off for the last few weeks now. I’ve had a few other options, but from speaking to the manager he’s given me the confidence to come here and show what I can do.

“When the manager shows so much interest in you and puts so much faith in you, you always want to repay that with your performances. That is one of the main reasons why I have come here.

“He’s given me a good opportunity to come and play and hopefully I can do that.”

Bridcutt, a Scotland international, began his career in the youth team at Chelsea before making the switch to Brighton in 2010 following loan spells at Yeovil Town, Watford and Stockport County.

He caught the eye under Gus Poyet during his time at the Amex Stadium, helping the Seagulls win promotion from League One and establish themselves as a competitive Championship side.

After 152 appearances in all competitions for Brighton, Bridcutt followed Poyet to Sunderland in January 2014 for a fee reported to be between £3-4million.

He featured 12 times in his debut top-flight campaign before going on to play 24 games in all competitions last term, but he found opportunities limited following Poyet’s departure.

Bridcutt has played regularly for Sunderland’s Under-21s this term, though, to build up his fitness, and he will go straight into contention for Saturday’s trip to QPR.

Liam will wear shirt number 26.