Shrewsbury Town have swooped to sign Northern Ireland defender Tom Flanagan on a two-and-a-half-year deal from fellow League One outfit Sunderland.
The 30-year-old made the deadline switch to the Shropshire side after nearly four seasons at the Stadium of Light where he made 115 appearances and scored five goals.
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Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: “Tom has played his part this season to ensure we head into the remainder of the campaign competing at the top end of the division, but his contract expires in the summer and this move represents a great opportunity for him to secure his long-term future.
“He has led by example throughout his time at the club and we wish him well in the next chapter of his career.”
Another Northern Ireland defender was also on the move on the final day of the January transfer window when Ciaron Brown (above) left Cardiff City to link up with Oxford United on loan until the end of the season.
The 24-year-old from London, who started his career at non-league Wealdstone before moving to Cardiff City four years ago, said he was relishing the prospect of a new challenge.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Brown told the club's website. “Oxford are doing really well in the league and I spoke to Gavin Whyte and to Curtis Nelson and they had nothing but good things to say about the club and the fans so I am really excited to be part of that.”
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland U21 international Amrit Bansal-McNulty has returned to Crawley Town on loan from Queens Park Rangers. The 21-year-old will stay with the League Two side for the remainder of the season. The attacking midfielder, who has been with QPR since he was 14, spent the first half of the campaign with Crawley and made seven appearances in all competitions.
