Sunderland: Jozy Altidore swap partially offsets the cost of Jermain Defoe signing

Ex-Tottenham man Jermain Defoe completed his move to Sunderland on Friday in what looks to be a pricey deal for the striker.

The Independent confirmed the deal:

Jermain Defoe has joined Sunderland from Toronto FC on a three-and-a-half year contract.

Rumours earlier this week were circulating about the fee being in the region of an eye-bulging £14m but the actual transfer cost has not yet been disclosed. However, the amount shelled out by Sunderland will be partially offset but the fact that they have sent Jozy Altidore in the opposite direction as part of the deal.

And, whatever price they have paid for the ex-England forward, it will seem worth it if the striker’s goals keep Sunderland in The Premier League. This is the precise reason that the 32 year old has been brought to the club.

Defoe has scored goals at every level and stage of his career – 137 in 350 games for Tottenham, 17 in 36 for Portsmouth and 41 in just over 100 games for West Ham in his early days. Even at Toronto – where he wasn’t unanimously well-recieved – he scored 12 in 17 matches.

So this is a striker that almost guarantees goals. At 32 he hasn’t suffered persistent injuries and has always looked after himself. If Sunderland do say up the signing will be seen as a masterstroke at a time when the club is finding goals hard to come by.

But if Defoe fails to deliver it could signal the start of a painful downward spiral for the club. Whatever happens, the deal will make for fascinating viewing.