"I'm delighted that we've managed to sign Craig," Sunderland manager Roy Keane told the Premier League club's Web site (www.safc.com).
"He's a top goalkeeper and he'll be a massive asset for us over the next few years."
The Scotland number one is Sunderland's seventh signing of the close season after agreeing a five-year deal, having opted to join the Wearside club ahead of Aston Villa.
The deal for the 24-year-old, capped 23 times by his country, surpasses the 7.8 million pounds Manchester United spent on Frenchman Fabien Barthez in 2000.
It also puts in the shade the six million pound fees that English keepers Chris Kirkland and Richard Wright both attracted earlier this decade, when they joined Liverpool and Arsenal respectively.
Gordon, who made 139 league appearances for Edinburgh side Hearts, has performed impressively on the international stage, notably when his heroics helped Scotland earn a 1-0 win over France in a Euro 2008 qualifier last year.
He was voted the Scottish Football Writers' Player of the Year in 2005/06.
Sunderland's close-season spending has now risen above the 25 million pound mark as Keane looks to establish the promoted club in the top flight.