Newcastle United have signed Sunderland’s Jack Colback on a free transfer.

The signing of Colback from derby rivals Sunderland is the second new player to join Newcastle United in just days. Late last week, Newcastle United signed Ayoze Perez, a striker from Tenerife.

The red-haired player was toured around St James’s Park today and had photographs taken at the club by Newcastle’s media team, according to the Newcastle Chronicle newspaper.

Colback, a 24-year-old central midfielder, went through the youth ranks at Sunderland from 1999 to 2008 before making his debut for the senior team in 2009. He made 115 appearances for the Black Cats as well as playing with Ipswich Town on loan during two spells.

Colback will join up with his new Newcastle United teammates in July when the players return from holiday.