TOMMY MILLER would not have left Ipswich for any other Championship club, but the lure of Premiership football with Sunderland proved too good to turn down.

As revealed in The Northern Echo yesterday, the free-scoring midfielder is due to pen a two-year deal at the Stadium of Light on his return from honeymoon in the middle of next week.

When he does eventually commit his future to Sunderland it will bring to an end months of contract negotiations with a number of clubs and also an end to four years at Ipswich.

Since leaving Hartlepool for Portman Road in a £750,000 deal in 2001, Miller has become one of the hottest midfield talents in the Football League.

And the prospect of having another crack at the Premiership again - having been a bit part player in his first season at Ipswich when they were relegated - has come at the perfect time.

The lure of playing at the highest level in his native North-East also suits the newlywed and is the major reason why he turned down the chance to sign for a number of other clubs - including Scottish giants Celtic.

Miller's father, and agent, Tommy Miller Snr insists turning his back on Ipswich was difficult but something that had to be done.

"Subject to him passing his medical next Wednesday, he is signing for Sunderland," Miller Snr said. "He is due back from honeymoon on Tuesday and he will drive up there on Wednesday.

''He had plenty of options. Celtic enquired through a third party, Crystal Palace and Leeds also put offers on the table, but if he was going to stay in the Championship, he would have stayed with Ipswich.

"I think it is the only club he would have left Ipswich for, because he has had a great time down there and played under two very good managers."

Miller was brought up in Shotton Colliery and first hit the headlines at Victoria Park where he scored 44 goals in 160 appearances for Pool.

At Ipswich his 15 goals helped the Tractor Boys into the play-offs last season and scored 36 in 139 appearances during his time in Suffolk.

Now Miller will team up again with goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, who made the same switch earlier this week, on Wearside and Sunderland admit things are ready to go through.

"We can confirm that we have agreed a deal in principle with the player," said a Sunderland spokesperson.

"However, as he is currently on honeymoon, we have not finalised matters or been able to complete a medical."

* Sunderland have revealed a new match ticket price policy for their return to the Premiership.

The tiered system will see games graded in either category A or category B and there will be different prices for games.

There are six Catagory A fixtures against: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Middlesbrough and Newcastle. These fixtures will cost £25 for adult concessions and £30 for adults, with juniors costing £10.

Category B fixtures will see adult tickets priced £25 and adult concessions at £20, while juniors can purchase them for £8.

Read more about Sunderland here.