SUNDERLAND new boy Younes Kaboul is hoping the experience within the Black Cats squad will help prevent a repeat of the relegation battles that have soured the last two campaigns.

Kaboul, a veteran of more than 150 Premier League appearances, became Sunderland’s fourth summer signing when he completed a £3m move from Tottenham on Thursday, following in the footsteps of Sebastian Coates, Adam Matthews and Jeremain Lens.

The 29-year-old joins a Black Cats backline that already boasts 34-year-old John O’Shea and 35-year-old Wes Brown, with Dick Advocaat clearly keen to assemble a squad boasting plenty of knowhow.

“We’ve got some great leadership here, like John O’Shea, who was at Manchester United for a long time and has great experience,” said Kaboul, who has flown out to the United States to link up with a Sunderland squad that played the second game of their North American tour against Mexican side Club Pachuca in the early hours of this morning.

“We’ve got Seb Larsson, Jermain Defoe, Lee Cattermole, and many players like that. I’m delighted to join them here, and the rest of the team. Hopefully, we’ll have a great, healthy season.”

Kaboul knows all about Defoe in particular, having played with the England international in two separate spells at Tottenham and a further stint at Portsmouth, and the Frenchman cannot wait to be reunited with a striker he regards as one of the most effective in the Premier League.

“It will be the fourth time I’ve been with him,” he said. “He is a special guy and you enjoy being with him every day. I can’t wait to see him and play with him again. He’s a guy who only needs one yard to shoot and score. He can surprise anyone quickly, and for us to have a player like that is amazing.”

The admiration is mutual, as Defoe has expressed his delight at Kaboul’s arrival, a development that was rushed through after Sunderland dropped their interest in Nicolas Lombaerts following problems with the Belgian centre-half’s medical.

“Younes is a winner and a natural leader on the pitch and he’ll come to the club and bring that attitude,” said Defoe. “He’s a great signing for us.

“Even in training he was always going for it - running, tackling, heading, attacking. Fans will love what he’ll bring to the team.”

Advocaat canvassed Defoe's opinion before pushing through Thursday's deal, and the Sunderland striker’s response could hardly have been more positive.

“I told him, ‘If you can get him, he’ll be a top signing’,” said Defoe. “He’s a great guy. Obviously I played with him at Tottenham for a few years and then again at Portsmouth. He’s a top player and a top professional.

“Younes messaged me about the move and he’s looking forward to linking up with the squad. He was Spurs captain, and he is a leader on the pitch. Physically, he’s so strong, and I think he’s a player who has got everything. I think he’ll do really well at Sunderland.”

Defoe was part of the Black Cats squad that took on Club Pachuca this morning, with Sunderland’s North American tour due to finish with a game against his former club, Toronto FC, on Wednesday night.

“Training has been good,” he said. “It’s what we need to get conditioned to make sure we’re in tip-top shape for the start of the season.

“The head coach has been making us play small-sided games and they’re intense. Because it’s so hot, it’s almost like you’re working twice as hard in each session, but it’s what we need to be ready to go.”