Jermain Defoe is back at Sunderland, four-and-a-half years after leaving the club in the wake of relegation from the Premier League.
The ex-England international left his role as player-coach at Rangers earlier this month and has joined Sunderland as a free agent, signing a deal that initially runs to the end of the current season.
Defoe said: "I can't stop smiling because this is a special move for me for many reasons.
READ MORE: Sunderland confirm late deadline day signing of Jay Matete from Fleetwood Town
"I've had so many messages saying, 'remember when you said you would come back', as I said that I would one day and when I left, I wasn't ready to leave.
"I have a special bond with the fans here and the club is in a fantastic position to get promoted.
"I want to be a part of more special times here and I'm looking forward to it."
Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman added: “We all know how high highly regarded Jermain is amongst our fan base and within the wider community.
"He returns at a crucial time in our season, and we firmly believe that he can have a positive influence on and off the pitch.
"Jermain's personality is infectious and his mindset is elite.
"He is a proven winner and a goalscorer and we are delighted to welcome him back to the Stadium of Light."
The Black Cats have been in talks with the 39-year-old for at least a fortnight, with former head coach Lee Johnson confirming there had been contact between club and player.
Johnson was understood to harbour reservations about bringing in Defoe, who has played only nine minutes of football this season, and consistently said that the deal would only happen if it was right for all parties.
But Johnson was sacked on Sunday night in the wake of Sunderland's 6-0 defeat at Bolton, leaving Defoe's move to be sanctioned by sporting director Kristjaan Speakman in conjunction with majority shareholder Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and the rest of the ownership group.
Defoe becomes Sunderland's second late deadline day addition, with Fleetwood Town midfielder Jay Matete's arrival announced just over an hour after the 11pm deadline.
Defoe's first stint at Sunderland began seven years ago when joined the club from MLS club Toronto FC in a swap deal which saw USA international Jozy Altidore move in the opposite direction.
He scored 37 goals in 93 appearances in all competitions for a side that was constantly battling relegation.
He was the club's top scorer in each of his two full seasons on Wearside, scoring 15 Premier League goals in each of those campaigns.
When Sunderland were relegated in 2017, he left to join Bournemouth and after three years on the South Coast he moved north of the Border to Rangers.
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