CHARLTON captain Andy Reid has joined Sunderland on a three-and-a-half year deal for £4million.

Sunderland are thought to have made Reid a contract offer that was more than four and a half times his salary at Charlton.

It marks a return to the Premier League for the influential midfielder who has also played for Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.

Manager Alan Pardew admitted that he was resigned to losing the club's talisman and most influential player.

He said: "I didn't want this to happen but at the same time I fully understand why the board found it impossible to say no.

"I feel we have coped well without him and he is still carrying the injury which has kept him out of the side.

"So it was a tough call for all of us at the club - and Andy himself because he gave me a verbal commitment to remain here until the end of the season at least."

Pardew confessed the club expect a backlash from supporters over Reid's sale at a critical time in Charlton's attempt to return to the Premier League.

He disclosed: "The board discussed that aspect at some length which made the decision even more difficult. What the players and supporters must do now is come together and make the club stronger at this time.

"It must not be allowed to affect our focus. The board have made it clear that they laid out heavy investment prior to me coming here and it didn't work out.

"You never want to lose good players but that doesn't mean this is the end of our promotion campaign."

As part of the deal, Sunderland have allowed defender Greg Halford to join the Addicks on loan for the rest of the season. The 22-year-old captained Colchester when Charlton assistant manager Phil Parkinson was in charge at Layer Road.

He goes straight into the squad for Saturday's match at Scunthorpe.

Halford was joined by Fulham midfielder Lee Cook, who moved to The Valley on loan for the rest of the season on Thursday evening.

Cook was purchased from QPR for £2.5million in the summer.