JACK Clarke has completed a permanent return to Sunderland signing a four-year deal on Wearside.

The Black Cats have been locked in talks with Tottenham Hotspur for the last few weeks over a potential deal to bring Clarke back to the Stadium of Light after a successful loan spell last season.

A deal was agreed earlier this week and the 21-year-old leaves Tottenham Hotspur after three years in the capital without making a Premier League appearance. Clarke will be in attendance for Sunderland’s pre-season friendly against Rangers later this evening.

Clarke said: "It felt right to return and after winning promotion to the Championship last season, I’m excited to play my part in the next step of our journey.

"We have a good balance in the squad and a great bond in the dressing room, so I believe we can continue to progress as a team and enjoy another successful season."

Spurs bought the young winger from Leeds United for a reported fee of £8.5 million before being loaned back to Elland Road. Clarke continued his development with further loan spells at Queens Park Rangers and Stoke City before joining the Black Cats in January earlier this year.

He featured 20 times and scored one goal in the red and white of Sunderland slamming home from the edge of the box in stoppage time during a 3-1 win over Fleetwood Town.

Manager Alex Neil said: "Jack is a player with huge potential. We had him last season and I think he grew stronger and stronger as the season went on, but the most important thing for him is that he’s now our player. He has obviously got quality, but what he needed to do was find a home and we have managed to provide that.

"Jack enjoys it here and for us, we are pleased to have the deal across the line as it adds another attacking option."

The winger becomes their second signing of the summer following the arrival of defender Daniel Ballard who made the switch from Premier League Arsenal.