Black cats sign Diouf

The 27-year Senegal international has agreed a four-year deal with the Black Cats after spending four seasons at the Reebok Stadium.

"El-Hadji is a great signing for us and we're thrilled to get him," Keane said. "He has bags of Premier League and international experience, which is exactly what we have been targeting this summer."

He added: "El-Hadji has always been the kind of player opposition teams and supporters love to hate, a thorn in the side, and that's why we're delighted to now have him in our squad.

"Our coach, Ricky Sbragia, has also worked very closely with him and speaks extremely highly of him, so we're looking forward to working with El-Hadji, I think he's a signing that will excite our supporters."

Diouf becomes Keane's fifth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Teemu Tainio, Nick Colgan, David Meyler and Pascal Chimbonda.

After securing the signature of Diouf, Keane will now turn his attentions to the pursuit of Tottenham duo Younes Kaboul and Steed Malbranque.

While there has been little development on a deal for Malbranque, a move for Kaboul seems likely after Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp - who was also interested in signing the Morocco-born Frenchman - admitted the Black Cats were the favourites to land the player.

"I still want to bring in Kaboul but he has spoken with Sunderland," Redknapp told The News.

"I know Aston Villa also want him but Roy Keane has met him now too. I'd say we are third now behind the other two teams."