Celtic have completed the signing of Sunderland striker Daryl Murphy. STV Sport understands the 27-year-old was in Glasgow on Thursday night for talks and has put pen to paper on a move believed to have cost the SPL club in the region of £1.3 million.

Murphy, who has signed a three-year contract, is now expected to fly out to join his new team-mates on their tour of North America, with Celtic facing Manchester United and Seattle Sounders over the weekend. A fixture against Sporting Lisbon will follow in Boston on Thursday.

Celtic will hold an impromptu press conference at half four on Friday afternoon to unveil Murphy as Neil Lennon's fourth summer signing, following the captures of left-back Charlie Mulgrew, right-back Cha Du-Ri and midfielder Joe Ledley. Mexican Efrain Juarez is expected to follow when he receives a work permit for his move from UNAM Pumas.

Hoops boss Lennon revealed on Thursday he had been an admirer of Murphy for some time, having previously seen him on international duty with the Republic of Ireland.

“He’s quick, he’s six foot two or three and I’ve watched him for a few years,” Lennon said. “I think he could take the hits for us up here.”

Having started his career with Luton Town, he returned to his home town to sign for Waterford United. Sunderland took him back to England in 2005, making 110 appearances for the Black Cats.

Falling out of favour under Steve Bruce, Murphy had a spell on loan at Ipswich Town towards the end of the 2009/10 season, scoring six goals in 18 appearances.

Sunderland assistant manager Eric Black revealed early on Friday morning the English Premier League side were prepared to let the player go and had given the forward permission to talk to Celtic.

“The clubs have agreed terms, it is now down to the player,” Black said. "He has been given permission to go and speak to them, which I think he was doing last night."