Sunderland have completed the signing of free agent Joleon Lescott on a short-term deal until the end of the season.
The England international has been without a club since having his contract terminated by AEK Athens in November and has been brought in to help the Black Cats avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Lescott - who won the Premier League with Manchester City on two occasions - has been on trial with Sunderland as manager David Moyes looks for defensive reinforcements.
Moyes previously managed Lescott during his time at Everton, and he joins former Toffees Steven Pienaar and Victor Anichebe in Sunderland's squad.
The defender will wear No.15 for the Premier League's bottom club, and could make his debut against Tottenham on 31 January with Lamine Kone at the African Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast and Papy Djilobodji facing a suspension following a clash with Darren Fletcher during Saturday's defeat at West Brom.