GUS POYET has admitted Jozy Altidore's departure to Toronto FC helped ensure that Jermain Defoe arrived at Sunderland as part of a "perfect deal".

Altidore scored just one goal in 42 Premier League appearances for the Black Cats, a wretched record that followed a similar failure with Hull City.

On the one hand, Altidore's switch to Toronto helped persuade the Canadian club to release Defoe despite the former England international having moved to the MLS as their marquee signing.

And as a further benefit, Poyet has also been able to engineer the departure of a player who could well have become an unsettling presence in the second half of the season.

Poyet said: "With all respect to Jozy, it is the perfect deal, and I'm a believer that those perfect deals do not happen very often.

"The Jozy situation was simple. Unfortunately, it didn't work out for him for whatever reason. Everyone has an opinion on that. I've got mine, but I will keep it for me.

"He's going to go back home as a very, very important player, and as a captain of the national team. On the other hand, we are getting a proven goalscorer in the Premier League.

"It was a good option for everybody, and I think everybody is happy."