Gus Poyet claims he has got the better of Albion in the Liam Bridcutt saga.

The Seagulls midfielder finally completed his long-awaited move to Sunderland today.

The fee is being reported in the North-East as £2.5 million - and Poyet believes that is well below what Bridcutt is worth.

The former Albion boss told The Sunderland Echo: "When you consider the price for him and how much we wanted him, he's British, he's young and I think it was a bargain for us."

Bridcutt, 24, is expected to make his Premier League debut in tomorrow's Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle, with Lee Cattermole injured and on course to sign for Stoke.

Poyet said: "Liam has one advantage compared with the rest of the squad, he knows us very well, knows how we play and understands the role perfectly. The only thing that can go against him is bad form."

Bridcutt has not played since his last appearance for Albion against Bournemouth at The Amex on New Year's Day.

He had a groin injury and then told Albion's management staff he was not in the right frame of mind to feature while Sunderland's interest rumbled on.