Sunderland signs striker Danny Graham from Swansea

(AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

SUNDERLAND, England (AP) Three days after being booed by Sunderland fans when he appeared as a substitute for Premier League rival Swansea, striker Danny Graham signed for the northeast club on Thursday in a three-and-a-half year deal.

The 27-year-old Graham is a self-confessed fan of Sunderland's fierce local rivals Newcastle, but said he is eager to show his worth to his new club after completing a five million pound ($7.9 million) move.

"I totally understand that some fans might need convincing about my commitment to Sunderland because of my roots, but I've always given 100 percent no matter what team I play for and no matter who I play against," Graham said.

"It's up to me to show people I deserve to wear the Sunderland shirt and I'm excited about playing for a club as big as this."

Graham was Swansea's leading scorer last season, the club's first in the Premier League, with 14 goals.

But after coach Brendan Rodgers left to take over at Liverpool in the summer of 2012, Graham found opportunities limited under Rodgers' replacement, Michael Laudrup.

He becomes Sunderland's third signing of the January transfer window after midfielder Alfred N'Diaye and defender Kader Mangane.

Updated January 31, 2013