New Sunderland striker Victor Anichebe has confirmed that fellow forward Jermain Defoe was one of the main reasons he decided to sign for the club.

The Black Cats, priced at 2.63 to be relegated, turned to Anichebe after losing Fabio Borini for three months due to injury.

Manager David Moyes tried in vein to add more strikers to his squad on transfer deadline day but he missed out on Norwich City’s Steven Naismith.

Anichebe signed for Sunderland on Friday night to become Moyes’ ninth signing of the summer since his arrival in the north-east.

The former Everton forward was released by West Brom at the end of last season and is now determined to prove his worth this year.

Speaking after his move, the 28-year-old admits that the possibility of playing with Defoe was something that excited him.

He told the Sunderland Echo: “I was speaking to JD before; everyone knows he’s such a great player.

“We played against Sunderland last season and I was watching from the side, just watching Defoe, his movement.

“He is so strong for a small guy and you know when he gets a chance he’s either going to hit the target or score.

I told him that he’s one of the reasons I came here because I feel I can learn a lot from him.

“Even though I’m 28, you can always learn, there’s always time for that.

”That’s what I’m coming here for and I will give my all because I know what a great opportunity I have here.

I will try to help the football club as much as I can.”