Sunderland have confirmed the signing of Nigerian striker Victor Anichebe on a deal lasting until the end of the season, reuniting the former Everton man with the manager who first introduced him to the Premier League in 2006.
Powerful striker provides options for the Black Cats
Anichebe becomes David Moyes' ninth signing as Black Cats boss and offers some much needed cover for Jermain Defoe, who was the only fit striker at the club prior to Anichebe joining.
Speaking to the club's official website, Anichebe said that he is "really happy to be here at a great club."
The powerful forward added that the draw of working under Moyes as he did at Everton was a "big factor" in the move, and that despite having "a few options in England and Europe" he felt that a move to Wearside was the right one.
Anichebe, who had been without a club since leaving West Bromwich Albion at the end of the last season, went on to say that he feels Moyes "can get the best out of me," and that the manager "knows me inside out."
Premier League veteran offers another dimension to Sunderland's play
The 28-year-old was one of many young players brought into the first-team picture at Everton by Moyes, and he was an important squad player on Merseyside during the Scotsman's tenure, making 131 appearances and scoring 18 goals during a seven year spell at the club. Anichebe departed the club in 2013 and signed for West Bromwich Albion, for whom he made 55 appearances over a three year period, scoring six goals.
Anichebe is a player not too dissimilar to Emile Heskey during the latter part of his career, with his strength and power being used to open up avenues for team-mates to pursue rather than to score goals himself.
The Nigerian offers Sunderland some much needed cover in the striker position, with the unfortunate news of a three month injury to Fabio Borini leaving Defoe as the only available striker at the club before Moyes opted to draft in Anichebe.