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Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole has signed a new contract which will keep him at the club until 2016.

The midfielder, 24, who was out of contract at the end of the season, on a four-year deal and has made 72 appearances.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted. The gaffer made it clear to me at the end of the season that he wanted to keep me at the club.

"It took a bit of time but I'm glad it's been sorted in the end."

He added: "If you look at our signings in the summer I think you can see that we have made some big signings and I think it's the best place for me at the minute."

Cattermole began his career at Middlesbrough aged 17, playing in the Uefa Cup Final in 2006 when Boro lost 4-0 to Sevilla.

He joined Wigan in 2008 but left for Sunderland after one season.

The former England Under-21 international has struggled with injuries since joining the Black Cats but has averaged 24 appearances a season.

He returned to the side in Sunderland's 0-0 draw with Stoke at the weekend, having served a three-match ban.

He was sent off against MK Dons in the Capital One Cup earlier this season - the seventh dismissal of his career.