I agree it's a steal. Watch him get player of the season again.
Sunderland don't have an all attacking midfield so I would expect him to play well again when he's not being exposed due to his team mates shirking their defensive duties.
I don't mind him moving to a so-called smaller/poorer club bacuse he'll still be playing against the same strikers week-in-week-out and Sunderland are IMO more likely to stay up with him in the team.
Bruce is a bit of a spoofer but I'm sure he's a good judge of defenders and the price made it even more attractive.