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Nottingham Forest have signed defender Louis Laing on a free transfer from Sunderland on a one-year contract, with an option for a further 12 months.

The 21-year-old, who spent time on trial at Manchester United in April, made just one senior appearance for the Black Cats, as a substitute in 2011.

Laing's only other Football League experience came at Wycombe where he played 11 games on loan in 2012.

The centre-half will join Forest when his Sunderland deal expires on 1 July.

The former England youth international and graduate of Sunderland's academy was just 18 when he made a late substitute appearance for the club in a 3-1 Premier League loss to Wolves.

Laing is the fourth signing made by new Forest manager Stuart Pearce, following the addition of full-back Danny Fox, Dutch forward Lars Veldwijk and Hull City striker Matt Fryatt.