Sunderland
have vastly increased their chances of avoiding relegation by signing striker
Jermain Defoe from FC Toronto.
After
just one season in the MLS the English striker has returned to the Premier League after struggling to settle in Toronto.
American
Striker Jozi Altidore has gone in the other direction ending his own struggle
with English football.
The
big American only managed to find the net once in 42 appearances for the Black
Cats to take his total to two goals in 70 games in England.
Sunderland
who sit 16th in the league, have the second worst goal scoring
record in the league with 18 goals.
Boss Gus
Poyet will hope Defoe can add to his 220 goals in English football to pull them
away from the relegation dog fight.
Poyet
has hailed striker as a special signing as they fought of a number of clubs to
bring him to he North East.
“I
am thrilled that Jermain is a Sunderland player. I know all about his
attributes and his qualities first-hand and his exceptional goal-scoring record
speaks for itself. He has something different, something special.”
Crystal
Palace manager Alan Pardew admitted he failed in trying to lure Defoe to
Selhurst Park.
The
32-year-old will go straight into the squad to face Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow.
He is unlikely to start but is expected to play some part in the game.
Defoe has a record of scoring on his debut for every club he has played for.
Arif Ahmed
No comments