Sunderland have completed the signing of Jan Kirchhoff from Bayern Munich.
The centre-back, 25, has signed an 18-month contract and arrives from the Bundesliga champions for an undisclosed fee.
Kirchhoff struggled to make an impact at Bayern after a 2013 move from Mainz but did play in the Champions League during a loan spell at Schalke.
Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce told the club website: "Jan has a very good pedigree.
"Even though he is still relatively young he has experience of football at the highest level, including the UEFA Champions League.
"He has real versatility as a player, being comfortable in both the centre-back and midfield roles.
"He is desperately keen to experience the Premier League and our job now is to do everything we can to help him settle and adapt quickly to life in English football, so he can have a positive impact on our squad."
Kirchhoff, who will wear the No 27 shirt, is Sunderland's first signing of the transfer window and arrives with the club second-bottom in the Premier League, four points from safety.
He will not be available for Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie at Arsenal.