SUNDERLAND have completed the signing of former England striker Jermain Defoe from MLS outfit Toronto FC.

The 32-year-old has put pen to paper on a three and a half year deal, with Jozy Altidore moving in the opposite direction.

Defoe will wear squad number 28 and is eligible to play against Spurs on Saturday after receiving international clearance.

Following five successful years in a second spell with Spurs, Defoe moved to the MLS at the start of 2014, joining the Canadian side and scored 11 times in 16 games for the Reds.

Speaking about his return to English football, he said: “I am delighted to be here and I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“It is a great club and I’ve always enjoyed coming up here and playing against Sunderland because of the stadium and the supporters. It is a great place to play and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Black Cats head coach Gus Poyet said: “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.

“We know each other very well - he was very young when we played together and I was coming to the end of my career, so I know him from on the pitch.

“When I returned to Spurs as a coach it was a great experience for me to work with him, so I am really looking forward to having him as my player now and for him to be part of our team.

 “I would also like to thank Jozy as his begins his career at his new club. It is a fresh start for him and we wish him well.”

Sunderland’s sporting director Lee Congerton said: “Jermain is a player who has proven his quality in the Premier League. Naturally, with a player of his calibre, there was a lot of interest in him, not only in England but across Europe, so we are delighted that he has chosen to come to Sunderland.”

Bookmakers BetVictor have installed Defoe at 10/1 to be Sunderland's top scorer at the end of the season, and rates his chances of scoring five or more goals as 8/11.

Defoe PL goals 2014/15:

Four or fewer                          Evens

Five or more                            8/11

Sunderland PL top scorer

S Fletcher                    2/7

A Johnson                   5/1

J Defoe                        10/1

C Wickham                 10/1

J Gomez                      10/1

33s Bar