The Black Cats have brought in the former Everton and West Brom man as cover.
The transfer window may have closed on Wednesday night, but Sunderland made another signing on Friday by bringing in free agent striker Victor Anichebe on a deal until the end of the season.
The Black Cats desperately needed another forward in their squad after Fabio Borini’s injury left just Jermain Defoe and teenager Joel Asoro as attacking options.
David Moyes’ free agent options were hugely limited, but a report on Thursday suggested that he was considering Anichebe as well as bigger names such as Dimitar Berbatov and Nicklas Bendtner.
It has now been confirmed that he has brought Anichebe, who was always touted as the leading candidate, to the Stadium of Light on a short-term contract/
Moyes knows the 28-year-old well, having nurtured him from youth prospect to useful first-team option during his decade at Everton.
Anichebe left Goodison Park shortly after Moyes departed for Manchester United, but the pair have now reunited on Wearside, where Anichebe will join up with his former Toffees teammates Steven Pienaar and Jack Rodwell.
The Nigerian has played just 229 first-team games in 10 seasons as a professional – averaging just 23 per campaign in all competitions – and has only scored 35 senior competitive goals in that time.
He is a far from inspiring signing, but Sunderland fans seem pretty split on whether he is a good enough stop-gap option.
Here is some of the best of the reaction from Black Cats fans to his arrival.
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