Former Sunderland striker Niall Quinn has claimed that the club have filled a hole in their squad by securing a deal to sign Jermain Defoe.

The Black Cats are close to confirming the move, which will see Jozy Altidore replace Defoe at Toronto, and Quinn believes that the England international will add a clinical edge in attack.

"He'll ignite the place. It's a great deal," the Irishman told the Daily Star. "I watched Sunderland's defeat against Liverpool last week and they looked really flat.

"Under Gus, they're hard to beat but it had become obvious, they needed a bit more in attack.

"Defoe can provide that. He's a natural goalscorer, one of the best around and crucially, he's still hungry."

Sunderland have scored just 18 goals in 21 Premier League games this season.