The Sunderland manager was one of the busiest in the Premier League, completing his TENTH deal by bringing George McCartney back to Wearside from West Ham.

And he declared himself a happy man with the transfers he managed to complete.

Since making Teemu Tainio their first signing on July 23, the Black Cats have average one new arrival every four days – an extraordinary period of activity.

Keane said: "There's an element of relief that the transfer window is shut.

"There's lots of speculation and agents are active and busy in that time, putting players forward to different people.

"We just had to keep a clear mind and focus on the players we wanted.

"The club have been great, we have got the players we wanted over the last six weeks, particularly since we came back for pre-season.

"I'm delighted with my lot now, we can put it to bed and focus over the next few months."

Left-back McCartney had two years at West Ham, but Keane persuaded him to return to the Stadium of Light, where he was brought through the ranks.

On signing the 26-year-old, Keane said: "I'm pleased, very much so.

"We left it late, but we'd been trying to negotiate with West Ham for a week or so.

"Fortunately for us we got it done on the final day.

"That was the player I thought we needed in terms of the left-back position.

"At least it's over with now, and we can relax and focus on the players we have."

McCartney hopes to feature in Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifying campaign opener in Slovakia tomorrow after a summer hampered by a hamstring injury and a bout of pneumonia.

Asked if the Ulsterman would feature in Sunderland's next Premier League game, at Wigan next Saturday, Keane said: "I would have thought so - fingers crossed.

"He had one or two problems over the last few weeks, but he was on the bench for West Ham last weekend and got on, and the games he will get for Northern Ireland will help his fitness.

"I'm delighted with what we've got, and we might have more options in a week or so with Deano (Whitehead) and Teemu being fit."

Tainio has missed three games with a thigh strain while skipper Whitehead sat out last weekend's home loss to Manchester City with a hip injury.