Keane hails 'hard deal' for Gordon

Gordon's arrival from Hearts is set to be officially confirmed later on Wednesday, with just finishing touches to the paperwork holding up the deal.

Keane said: "I rate him very highly. I think he's a top goalkeeper. I believe he has a lot to go. I think he can only get better, and this is the right club for him because we've good goalkeeping staff here. So we're delighted, and hopefully it will be finalised later today."

He added: "It's been a hard deal. (Chief executive) Peter Walker has worked extremely hard, and now we're almost over the finishing line."

International clearance for the transfer must be received before it is finalised and confirmed by either club, with the Scottish Football Association due to convey that to their counterparts at the FA in London.

The Scotland international, who has already passed a medical and agreed terms on a five-year contract, is poised to become the most expensive goalkeeper in British football history. The current record stands at the £7.8million Manchester United paid to Monaco in 2000 for Fabien Barthez.

Sunderland are due to pay Hearts an initial £7million, with add-ons taking the fee up to £9million if the conditions are met.

Aston Villa had been expected to hold talks with Gordon on Wednesday, but the soon-to-be former Hearts captain was convinced Sunderland were the right club for him following talks with Keane.

Gordon becomes the club's number one, and is in line to face Tottenham in the Barclays Premier League curtain-raiser at the Stadium of Light on Saturday providing he overcomes a shoulder injury.

"We've two other good goalkeepers, which adds competition, and you can't beat competition for places," added Keane on safctv. "The number one jersey was available, and obviously Craig is going to wear that. But we'll see how it goes over the next few days because I think he has had a slight shoulder problem, so it's touch and go."