DUNFERMLINE have completed the signing of Sunderland academy graduate Tom Beadling on a loan deal until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old finalised the move this afternoon after impressing boss Allan Johnston while training with the Pars earlier this month.

He becomes the club's fourth signing of the January transfer window following the capture of Dundee midfielder James Vincent yesterday, and the earlier arrivals of Lee Robinson and James Craigen.

Press Sport understands that Beadling, who can operate as a centre back or as a defensive midfielder, may not be Dunfermline's last piece of business before tomorrow night's deadline.

Johnston is believed to still hope to strengthen in one or two positions before the window closes at midnight tomorrow but said he was "really happy" with the acquisition of Beadling.

He commented: "Tom came up two weeks ago. He came up for a week, done really well and really impressed us.

"I've seen him with the Sunderland under-23s as well and have had good reports back from the scouting, so I'm really happy to get him on board."

Beadling, whose contract on Wearside expires at the end of the season, was born in Barrow but spent the early part of his childhood in Australia.

He joined the Black Cats' Academy at the age of eight and went on to become a regular feature with their under-23s.

Beadling, who was selected for an Australia under-20 camp in 2013, joined English League One outfit Bury on loan in January last year but made just two appearances for the Shakers.

Although he recently made the bench for their FA Cup third round defeat at Middlesbrough and has been an unused substitute for the first team on a number of other occasions, he has not made a senior appearance for Sunderland.

We will have an interview with Beadling, and fellow new boy Vincent, in this Thursday's Press Sport.