David Moyes insists he is excited to be working in the Premier League again after being confirmed as the new Sunderland manager on Friday afternoon.

The 53-year-old has been out of work since he was sacked by Spanish side Real Sociedad in November 2015 following a poor year at the helm.

The Scot’s career has been on a steady slide since leaving Everton but he will hope to rebuild his reputation at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland, who are priced at 3.75 to be relegated in 2016-17, have been preparing to make a move for Moyes since former boss Sam Allardyce was linked with the vacant England manager’s job.

Allardyce was officially confirmed as the Three Lions boss on Friday afternoon and the Black Cats wasted no time in announcing Moyes.

The former Manchester United boss insists he has taken over a big club and hopes to continue the fine work done by his predecessor.

Moyes said: “I am delighted to have joined Sunderland. I am relishing the challenge and excited by the opportunity.

“I have taken over a big British club with a great support and I’m looking forward to working in the Premier League again.

“I look forward to continuing the good work done by Sam”. Chairman Ellis Short, who played a big role in getting Moyes to sign a four-year deal, insists he was always their top target.

Short said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome David Moyes to Sunderland, who was by far and away our first choice.

“He is a man whose football pedigree speaks for itself and is someone I have long admired.

I have spoken with him on many occasions and I have always been hugely impressed.

“He was my number one managerial target for the last five appointments, but his desire to honour existing contracts meant we were not able to bring him to Sunderland previously.”