Sunderland have won the race to sign Scotland international goalkeeper Craig Gordon from Hearts.
The 24-year-old has signed a five-year deal, with the Black Cats paying up to £9m for him.
"He's a top goalkeeper and he will be a massive asset for us over the next few years," manager Roy Keane told the club's website.
It is understood that Sunderland, who fought off competition from Aston Villa, will pay an initial £7m.
The Tynecastle club will receive a further £2m, following a certain number of appearances.
And the deal could eventually break the British transfer record for a goalkeeper which currently stands at the £7.8m Manchester United paid for Fabien Barthez in 2000.
Gordon trained with the Black Cats earlier this week and had agreed to travel to Villa for talks, but Keane has persuaded him that his future lies at the Stadium of Light.
Manchester City were also keen on talking to the player but missed out.
"I could not turn down a chance to play in the English Premier League," Gordon told the Hearts website.
"It is a massive opportunity to me. I have always said I wanted to try the Premier League at some point.
"Sunderland is an ambitious club with a fanatical support and I think that is something similar to what we have at Hearts.
"The fans are fanatical about their club."
606: DEBATE
Sunderland had earlier abandoned hope of signing the Hearts captain after the Edinburgh club valued him at £10m.
But Sunderland and Aston Villa rekindled their interest last week after Hearts majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov indicated he would be willing to sell if Gordon said he wanted to leave.
Steve Banks was in goal for Hearts in Monday's Edinburgh derby defeat by Hibernian as Gordon headed south.
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