On july 2012 · safc.com
New signing: 'Ever since I heard the rumour that Sunderland were interested in signing me, I wanted to come here.'
Carlos Cuellar says the chance to reunite with Martin O'Neill at Sunderland was simply too good to turn down.
A number of top European clubs were reportedly interested in the 30-year-old, who was a free agent after leaving Aston Villa.
But interest from the Continent was rebuffed when O'Neill - who signed Cuellar for Villa back in 2008 - moved to capture the Spaniard for a second time.
Cuellar has signed a two-year deal on Wearside and cited Sunderland's growing reputation as another factor behind the move.
The former Rangers man, who will meet his new team-mates for the first time next week, told SAFC TV:
"Ever since I heard the rumour that Sunderland were interested in signing me, I wanted to come here.
"To work again with the gaffer, Martin O'Neill, and with everyone talking so well about the club, I didn't have any problem and said straight away I wanted to come.
"[O'Neill] is so clever, he knows everyone very well and knows how to push everyone to get one hundred per cent out of them.
"He gets the best from every player and brings them together to make his teams very competitive."
Cuellar is the first player brought in on a permanent basis under the stewardship of O'Neill, who is entering his first full season in charge.
The Northern Irishman reversed Sunderland's fortunes after taking over last December, something Cuellar saw coming.
"That [run of form] did not surprise me," he said.
"He did so well at Villa. I know how hard he works and what he can do with his teams.
"The manager is one of the best. He knows me and I know him. Everything is easy.
"I have been happy working with him before I wanted to do that again."
Now Cuellar can't wait to get pre-season under way, with the new campaign set to kick off against Arsenal on August 18.
And he's particularly looking forward to getting reacquainted with the Stadium of Light.
"Everyone has told me that the atmosphere in the stadium is unbelievable and I know this from playing against Sunderland in the past," the defender said.
"It is very important to feel that support when you are playing.
"I am the happiest man to be here, to work and try to show my skills and quality.
"I think we are going to be a hard team to beat. We have good players with quality and can play face-to-face against everyone in the league."
- Click here to watch Carlos' first interview as a Sunderland player on SAFC TV.
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