Keane was the reason I joined Sunderland, insists Malbranque

The Frenchman has become Keane's sixth summer signing, and the third to make the switch from White Hart Lane, following Teemu Tainio and Pascal Chimbonda to Wearside.

And the former Fulham favourite, who is believed to have cost £4 million, says the Sunderland boss helped persuade him to quit London after seven years.

Big factor: Malbranque is looking forward to linking up with Roy Keane (above).

Malbranque said: `Of course Roy Keane was a big factor in me coming here.

`I spoke with him two weeks ago and I had a very great feeling with him, and I liked what he had to say.

`He wants to win something and try to bring something very good to the club. It's a big challenge for him and for me.

`It's a fantastic stadium with great supporters and there's a great atmosphere inside the stadium. I think if we can do something good we will have the fans behind the team.'

Former Celtic winger Ross Wallace is poised to join Championship side Preston North End following Malbranque's move and with Keane still hoping to land a left-sided midfielder.

Scotsman Wallace, who is coming back from a serious knee injury, was transfer listed last season, less than a year after moving from Parkhead to play his part in Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League.

But with Keane linked with Aiden McGeady, Damien Duff and Stephen Hunt, his chances of coming off the list looked unlikely and he is now hoping to make a fresh start under Alan Irvine at Deepdale.