Cisse capture sends warning to our rivals, says Sunderland boss Keane

have confirmed the signing of France striker Djibril Cisse on a season-long loan from Marseille.

The former Liverpool forward has become the Black Cats' fifth major signing of the summer following the arrivals of Teemu Tainio, Pascal Chimbonda, Steed Malbranque and El-Hadji Diouf.

The 27-year-old has joined the north-east club with a view to a permanent deal and manager Roy Keane believes his arrival is a statement of the club's intent.

Keane told the club's website, safc.com: "This signing shows our ambitions and intentions.

"We're delighted with the new faces we've brought in, we've been working hard all summer to significantly improve the squad."

Keane also underlined the importance of Cisse's experience as the Black Cats
look to improve on their efforts last season when they finished 15th following
their return to the top flight.

He continued: "The signing of Djibril shows how far this club have moved on
since the end of last season.

"His experience will bring a lot to the squad and he will hopefully add some
goals to the side.

"He is known for scoring them as well as creating them."

Cisse spent two years at Anfield during which he scored 24 goals for the Reds
following his £14million switch from Auxerre where he played alongside fellow
new Sunderland recruit Tainio.

He then moved on to Marseille, initially on loan before making the move
permanent in 2007 but he claimed he was tempted to return to England by the
Black Cats' ambition.

"I'm really pleased to join a good club with good players.

"Sunderland are a club I think is going to achieve things, they have big
ambitions, that is why I chose to come here.

"I liked what the club had to say to me."