Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul has completed a £3 million move from Spurs to Sunderland to clinch the second major signing inside 24 hours by the Black Cats.
Kaboul rejected the chance to join the Black Cats seven years ago when the club, then managed by Roy Keane, made a joint £23million offer for him, Pascal Chimbonda, Teemu Tainio and Steed Malbranque.
At the time, his agent Rudy Raba was quoted as saying: “Younes wouldn’t join Sunderland even if there was an earthquake. We have more interesting options than Sunderland. Don’t even think about it.”
Should the deal go through, 29-year-old Kaboul would become head coach Dick Advocaat’s fourth summer signing after fellow defenders Sebastian Coates and Adam Matthews and midfielder Jeremain Lens, whose arrival from Dynamo Kiev was announced on Wednesday night.
The club had confirmed earlier in the day that Santiago Vergini has joined Spanish side Getafe on a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent move.
The 26-year-old Argentina international, who arrived on Wearside from Estudiantes in January last year, has headed for La Liga after learning he was surplus to requirements at the Stadium of Light.
A statement said: “Sunderland AFC defender Santiago Vergini has joined Spanish La Liga side Getafe CF on a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent transfer.
“The 26-year-old Argentine arrived on an initial loan deal in 2014, going on to make 51 appearances in 18 months on Wearside.”
