Hibernian have announced the signing of striker Anthony Stokes from Sunderland on a three-year contract.
Stokes, 21, will team up with Hibs manager John Hughes for the second time, having played under him when on loan to Falkirk from Arsenal in 2006.
"I'm absolutely delighted to be joining Hibernian and particularly pleased to be working with John Hughes again," Stokes told the club website.
"I'm looking forward to producing my best for him and for the team."
Hibs had an earlier approach to take the Republic of Ireland international on loan rejected but have now agreed an undisclosed fee for the player who was signed by Sunderland for £2m from Arsenal in January 2007.
He had two years left to run on his current contract with the Black Cats and was believed to have been on wages of £14,000 a week.
It was his successful loan spell as a teenager under Hughes when the Hibs boss was in charge of the Bairns that led then Sunderland manager Roy Keane to move for the young prospect.
He scored 16 goals in 18 appearances for Falkirk but managed only five goals in 38 appearances, 22 of them as a substitute, for Sunderland.
He found himself behind Kenwyne Jones, Djibril Cisse, Daryl Murphy and David Healy in the Premier League side's pecking order last season.
And he spent much of last season out on loan, firstly with Sheffield United and then Crystal Palace.
MY SPORT: DEBATEStokes could go straight into the Hibs squad for their early kick off at Falkirk on Saturday, if international clearance arrives on time.
"Anthony has got bags of talent and I can't wait to start working with him again," said Hughes. "He has scored goals in the SPL before and I'm certain that he will score goals again. I see him as a great addition as we continue to develop the squad."
RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Hibs fans' views on My Sport
BBC Where I Live - Scotland
Edinburgh weather
BBC Sport SPL
Hibernian
Scottish Premier League
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~28~RS~)