Defender Michael Liddle has joined Accrington Stanley on a permanent deal after spending the second half of last season on loan at the League Two club.
Liddle came through the youth ranks at Sunderland but chances were limited, and the 22-year-old has signed a 12-month contract with Stanley for an undisclosed fee.
"When I realised that I wasn't going to get a chance at Sunderland my first thought was to try to get back to Accrington," Liddle told the club. "I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to get onto getting back here as soon as I could."
Accrington manager Paul Cook said: "We can't speak highly enough of the lad. We brought him in to play left back for us last year but because of injury and suspension he was forced to play centre-back and in midfield."
Liddle had a year remaining on his Sunderland contract.
