Updated

Sunderland announced on Monday that the club has signed former Aston Villa defender Carlos Cuellar to a two-year contract.

The 30-year-old made 18 appearances in the league last season for Villa, but was available on a free transfer after the club allowed his contract to expire this summer.

Cuellar becomes the first new addition for the Black Cats since manager Martin O'Neill took over at the club in December.

After spending the early part of his career in Spain with Calahorra, Numancia and Osasuna, Cuellar move on to Rangers for a short spell before making almost 100 appearances for the Villains from 2008-12.