Joleon Lescott has joined struggling Sunderland on a deal until the end of the season.
The 34-year-old centre-half has been without a club since leaving AEK Athens in November and will join a squad propping up the Premier League table.
A Sunderland statement read: "Joleon Lescott has joined Sunderland AFC on a short-term contract.
"The defender has put pen to paper on a deal with the Black Cats until the end of the season. He will wear the number 15 shirt."
He has been brought in by Black Cats boss David Moyes to flesh out a squad already short on bodies due to the Africa Cup of Nations, with their ranks set to be depleted further if, as expected, the Football Association confirms a four-match ban for the hapless Papy Djilobodji for an incident at West Brom on Saturday.
