Dean Whitehead is confident he has the ability to succeed at a higher level after he signed a three-year contract with Sunderland.

While the 22-year-old midfielder, who yesterday completed his move to Wearside, will be lining up in America against a Carolina USL All-Star XI next month, his former Oxford United teammates will be kicking off their pre-season programme with a friendly at Oxford City's Court Place Farm.

Deano said: "I had a great time at Oxford, but I am ambitious and want to play at the highest level.

"There are some very good players at Sunderland, but I intend to work hard and will try to earn a place in the team.

"I am confident I can perform at the higher standard and I am looking forward to it.

"I was delighted when I heard of Sunderland's interest. Mick McCarthy is a highly respected figure in the game and I am thrilled to be joining his squad.

"It was an easy decision for me to make really."

Whitehead is understood to be on wages of £2,000-£2,500 a week, and with big bonuses, at the Stadium of Light.

It's a world away from the £500-or-so a week he was on at the Kassam Stadium last season, although United did belatedly make him a new offer which would have tripled his wages.

But Whitehead will find that, if he can become a regular first-team player at the north-east club and do well in the newly-named Coca-Cola League Championship, his contract will be more lucrative.

Money is so much less of an object at Sunderland, even though they are tightening their belt considerably from 18 months ago.

When they were relegated from the Premiership at the end of the 2002-3 season, their wage bill of £34m was the sixth highest in the top flight.

They halved that to £17m last season, which was still the highest in the Nationwide League first division.

And this summer it has been slashed still further, with Republic of Ireland international midfielder Jason McAteer, who was on £20,000 a week, one of two big earners (the other being Paul Thirlwell) released.

Deano could end up being pushed out from central midfield to the right wing as Sunderland have Carl Robinson, who they have signed on a free transfer from Portsmouth, and Jeff Whitley in the middle.

Republic of Ireland international Colin Healy would normally be a mainstay in midfield.

But he has not played since suffering a double leg fracture in December, and he is not expected to be fit for the start of the season.

Whitehead will also be vying for a first-team place with Republic of Ireland Under 21 international Sean Thornton, ex-Leicester City player Matt Piper - who he played against when Piper was on loan at Mansfield - and youngsters Grant Leadbitter and Richie Ryan.

Wales international John Oster is another highly-rated midfielder in the squad, but has yet to re-sign.

Whitehead, who grew up in Abingdon, made his Oxford debut in 2000 and made more than 100 appearances for the U's.

He becomes Sunderland's third new signing, after Robinson and Stephen Elliott, a young striker from Manchester City.