CHARLTON Athletic have been beaten to the signing of striker Jonathan Stead by Premiership new boys Sunderland.

The England Under-21 international made a good start to his Premiership careers when he made the step up from Huddersfield Town to Blackburn Rovers in February 2004, but he managed only two goals in 19 starts last season.

Addicks boss Alan Curbishley wanted to offer the 22-year-old a fresh start at The Valley, but Stead instead decided to move to Wearside in a £1.8million deal.

Stead told Sunderland's official website: "I had a choice between Sunderland and Charlton. I spoke to both parties and had a look around.

"It was just the feeling I got when I came here, when I saw the training ground and stadium, and especially after speaking to the manager, he assured me this was the place to be, and I'm sure it is."

Sunderland's summer transfer activity has also included the signing of Gillingham's out of contract defender Nyron Nosworthy.