Sunderland have appointed Gus Poyet as their new team manager.

Poyet replaces Paolo Di Canio and caretaker manager Kevin Ball in the job at the Stadium of Light. The Uruguayan will be joined at the Stadium of Light by his backroom staff Mauricio Taricco and Charlie Oatway.

Poyet has agreed a two year contract at Sunderland and will take charge of the Black Cats with immediate effect. His first match in charge of Sunderland will be away to Swansea on October 19.

“We analyzed a wide range of candidates and believe that Gus’s track record, experience, commitment and passion make him the right man to take us forward,” said Sunderland Chairman Ellis Short. “We welcome him to Sunderland.”

Poyet first arrived in English football as a player with Chelsea in 1997 where he went on to make 105 appearances, scoring 36 goals for the Blues. He then moved to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in 2001, where he spent three years as a player. He was capped 26 times for his country.