Sunderland sign defender Younes Kaboul from Tottenham

The head coach said: “He is a very experienced player, which is what we need”.

Having struggled for much of the season, Advocaat managed to eventually pull Sunderland to safety, ensuring at least another season in England’s top division.

France global Kaboul, who has been at Tottenham since rejoining from Portsmouth in 2010, has played 140 games across his two spells with Spurs.

He made 111 appearances in his second stint, but now looks set for a move to Sunderland.

Kaboul has penned a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light after Sunderland wasted no time in initiating Plan B for a new centre half, following the collapse of Nicolas Lombaerts’ switch from Zenit St Petersburg earlier this week. “No disrespect, but playing at Sunderland would not help his worldwide career”.

Tottenham have already signed Kevin Wimmer and Toby Alderweireld, from FC Koln and Atletico Madrid respectively, as Kaboul’s opportunities in the first team look even scarcer.

Three of the four deals eventually came to fruition, though Kaboul chose to stay put after deciding that a move to the obscure wastes of Wearside would be detrimental to his global chances.

With Kaboul’s departure, Spurs have continued their summer club clear-out, with a few more players like Roberto Soldado, Emmanuel Adebayor, Aaron Lennon, and Vlad Chiriches expected to be sold as well.

The centre-back has been quick to express his delight at the move to Sunderland and told his new club’s official site: “It is an honour and I’m delighted to join Sunderland“.