Jack Baldwin has this message for Sunderland fans after joining from Peterborough United

The 25-year-old has signed a two-year deal on Wearside after Sunderland spent £200,000 to bring him from League One rivals Peterborough United.

The former Hartlepool United defender and Posh captain has spoken passionately about Sunderland and admits it was a 'no-brainer' to move to the Stadium of Light.

A leader on and off the pitch, Baldwin is hoping to help Sunderland win promotion back to the Championship at the first attempt.

“League One is a battle of consistency,” said Baldwin.

“The teams that are the most consistent in this league are the ones who tend to get the job done.

"At Peterborough, in years gone by, it has been consistency that has let us down because there have been times when we have been flying and there were times when we couldn’t buy a win.

"With the experience in this group, I can’t see why we can’t get the job done at the first time of asking.

“It’s a passionate place and that’s part of my game - I’m passionate on and off the pitch, and I’ll give my all for the football club.

“It’s going to be a challenge. It’s a bit overwhelming for me walking in the door because it is a massive club with a brilliant set-up, and the history of the club is incredible.

“For me as a young lad I was ready to go to university until I signed for Hartlepool, so in the space of a few years to now be here is overwhelming.

“But I relish challenges and I’d like to think that I’ll hit the ground running.

"I’m delighted to be here. It’s a massive, massive, football club," he told the club website.

Baldwin added: "I’ve lived in the North East before and I know how much football means to the people up here.

“I’ve still got friends up here from my time at Hartlepool and I know the area, so it is not like jumping in at the deep end not knowing what I am coming in to.

“I sat in my flat in Hartlepool when I was 18, watching the derbies and scrolling through Twitter, because I have some friends who are Sunderland fans and some who are Newcastle fans, and seeing how much it means in this part of the world."

Baldwin made 118 appearances for Posh during his four and a half year stay at the ABAX Stadium after joining from Hartlepool United.

Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony described Baldwin as “nothing but class” throughout his time at the club.

Sunderland made an initial bid for Baldwin earlier in the summer, the defender one of Jack Ross' top defensive targets. Having gone back with an improved bid last week, the move then happened quickly with Baldwin eager to settle quickly back into North East life.

He added: “From what I understand there was a bit of interest early on but these things take time and I was backwards and forwards and didn’t really know what was happening.“I got a call on Thursday from my agent saying they had agreed a fee and I was ready to come up, and I needed to make a decision on what I wanted to do.

"It was a no-brainer for me, and I came into the club [Peterborough] on Friday to pick up my boots and say my goodbyes.

"It was straight up the road, met the gaffer and did the medical.

"I suffered an injury a few years ago which sidelined me for a while but either side of that I have played quite a few league games and I’d like to think I’ll play a lot of games here and get the club where it needs to be.”