Sunderland sign Everton pair Gibson and Oviedo

Sunderland boss David Moyes has raided old club Everton to sign Costa Rica international Bryan Oviedo and Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson to help the Premier League basement boys escape the drop.

Both played under Moyes at Everton

Oviedo, 26 and who has penned a three-and-a-half year contract, will fill the vacuum left by full-back Patrick van Aanholt, who joined fellow strugglers Crystal Palace earlier Monday.

Both Oviedo and 29-year-old Gibson, who has agreed an 18-month deal, played under Moyes when he was at Everton before the Scottish manager left for an unhappy spell at Manchester United.

Each saw their time at Everton overshadowed by injury, with Oviedo making just 68 appearances in four and a half years - though that was also due to the form of veteran Leighton Baines - and Gibson managing 69 in five years.

Moyes pleased to sign "good boy" Oviedo

"Bryan is a very good player and he'll help us get forward," Moyes told Sunderland's club website. "He's quick and overall he's a decent left-back."

"I signed him for Everton from Copenhagen as cover for Leighton Baines at the time, and he's only not getting in because of how well Leighton's done.

"He's 26 which is a good age for us and I think he's a really good character - a good boy - and I'm hoping he's someone who will help us over the years."

Moyes: Gibson "a very good footballer"

Moyes, whose only other signing in January has been another of his former Everton players, veteran central defender Joleon Lescott, said he hoped the 27-times capped Gibson would provide much needed goals from midfield.

"We've got Darron on an 18-month contract and I think he's a very good footballer; he'll add a bit of quality with his passing and his play and I'd love him to add goals.

"He has a really good strike and if he can add goals from midfield it would be a big bonus."

They could both make their debuts as early as Tuesday with Sunderland - who are presently three points adrift of safety - hosting title hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur.

Follow the live coverage match of Premier League Week 29 between: Liverpool vs Everton.