Emanuele Giaccherini comments on his Sunderland exit after sealing £2m Napoli move

Giaccherini's future has been the subject of constant speculation throughout the summer after a number of Italian clubs have been vying to sign the midfielder on a permanent basis.

Sunderland were always ready to let the 31-year-old leave the club after he had spent last season on loan at Bologna and only had 12 months remaining on a £40,000 a week contract at the Stadium of Light.

After successfully undergoing a medical yesterday, Giaccherini has now sealed his £2million switch to Napoli and penned a three-year deal with the Serie A outfit.

"I've joined an important and prestigious club and I'm delighted to wear this shirt," he said.

"I cannot wait to start my adventure with Napoli."

Giaccherini made just 32 Premier League appearances for Sunderland - only 18 of which were starts - after arriving in a £6.5m move from Juventus in the summer of 2013.

He follows Santiago Vergini among Sunderland's surplus to requirements players to have left the club this summer.