Sunderland AFC are delighted to announce the signing of George Dobson.

The midfielder has penned a three-year deal at the Stadium of Light, arriving from League Two outfit Walsall for an undisclosed fee.

Dobson started his career at Arsenal, spending a decade with the Gunners before moving to his boyhood club, West Ham United, in 2015.

The 21-year-old enjoyed time on loan with the Saddlers during the 2016-17 season, before moving to the Banks’s Stadium on a permanent basis in January 2018 following a six-month spell in the Eredivisie with Sparta Rotterdam.

After returning to Walsall, Dobson made a further 65 appearances in all competitions for Dean Keates’ side, while also regularly captaining the club during the 2018-19 campaign.

Following his move to Wearside, Dobson said: “It’s been a long few weeks, so to finally get the deal done is a dream come true. I played in the same league last year, but the difference in facilities is frightening, so the opportunity to use them every day to improve my game is something I’m really looking forward to. I always play with pride and passion, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Jack Ross concluded: “George has been on our radar for a while, so I’m delighted we were able to finalise a deal and bring him to the football club. He’s still young, but he is an experienced player with over 100 senior games under his belt, and throughout his career he has demonstrated quality, maturity and leadership. I’m confident he will thrive under the pressure that comes with playing for Sunderland and become an even better player in the process.”