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Mark Lynch

Lynch is hoping for regular football at Sunderland

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy has signed defender Mark Lynch from Manchester United.

Lynch, 22, whose only senior appearance for United was in the Champions League, has signed a three-year deal.

"It's always a wrench to leave a club like United but I thought the time was right and the gaffer said it was okay for me to move on," said Lynch.

"There was other interest, but I wanted to sign for Sunderland. It's a great club and Mick McCarthy impressed me."

Manchester-born Lynch had a spell on loan at St Johnstone in 2001, making 20 appearances.

Mark is another young player with huge potential

But he struggled to break into the first-team, with his only appearance coming against Deportivo La Coruna in 2003.

"I've been at United since the age of 11," he added. "I want first-team football and I decided that the time was right to leave.

"I would not have come here if I didn't think I could get into the first team."

The right-back is the sixth newcomer to McCarthy's squad this summer.

The manager has already signed Stephen Elliott, Dean Whitehead, Liam Lawrence, Steven Caldwell and Carl Robinson, who has made a permanent switch after a loan spell.

McCarthy is also speaking to West Ham's David Connolly.

"Mark is another young player with huge potential," McCarthy said.

"He has experience of being around top players and has played at the highest level, having been involved in European games with Manchester United.

"He's a player who has the ability to challenge for a first-team spot and he will be linking up with our other young and exciting players."