DANNY Graham has rejoined Sunderland following his release from Blackburn Rovers.

The 35-year-old has signed a one-year deal at the Stadium of Light having spent three years in the North East between 2013 and 2016.

However, he scored just once for the Black Cats in that time and went out on loan to Hull, Middlesbrough, Wolves and then Rovers where he scored seven times in 18 games which led to a permanent move to Ewood Park.

He went on to score 57 goals in 191 appearances during his four-and-a-half year spell at Rovers – 14 of those goals coming during the 2017-18 season, as he helped fire Tony Mowbray’s side to promotion from League One.

The Gateshead-born forward becomes Phil Parkinson’s sixth signing of the summer and is looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“It’s been in the pipeline for a number of weeks now, so I’m delighted the deal is done and it feels great to be here,” Graham told Sunderland’s official website. “I’m looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead.”

Parkinson, who tried to sign Graham while he was manager of Bolton, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Danny to the club.

“He provides us with another option and more competition at the top end of the pitch, and he is another excellent addition to the squad.”

Graham was one of five Rovers players who did not have their contracts renewed at the end of the 2019/20 season along with Richie Smallwood, Dominic Samuel, Jayson Leutwiler and Sam Hart.

Smallwood has since joined Hull City and is set to come up against former teammate Graham in the forthcoming League One campaign.

Samuel had been linked with a move to Championship new-boys Rotherham United while Leutwiler and Hart are also looking for new clubs.