Larsson: New signings have lifted Sunderland

“I’m now 27, I play in the Dutch national team, I play a lot of European games and the Premier League for me is the main test; it will be really good to play some games here”.

Holland midfielder Jeremain Lens has completed his move from Dynamo Kiev to Sunderland, signing a four-year contract with the Wearside club on Wednesday.

Tottenham’s Moussa Dembele remains the Dutchman’s primary target, and while an initial approach resulted in Spurs officials outlining their reluctance the sell the Belgian, Sunderland sporting director Lee Congerton is expected to make renewed contact with the hierarchy at White Hart Lane later this week.

As for Giaccherini, he is seen by most as a better operator in the attacking midfield role, playing off a striker rather than out wide where his talents are sometimes wasted.

He is known for his pace more than anything, which is something Sunderland have been missing for countless years now. Sunderland’s current squad were recently pictured on a boat trip around San Francisco Bay, and resembled a gaggle of cheeky schoolboys as opposed to a team of professional footballers – one of the most envied professions in the world.

Meanwhile Sunderland first Premier League opponents for the up-coming campaign, are looking to bolster their ranks.

They already boast forwards in Graham, Steven Fletcher, Jermain Defoe and Connor Wickham, – while Dick Advocaat has also deployed the likes of Adam Johnson and Ricky Alvarez in advanced roles in his preferred 4-3-3 formation. I hope it will happen again.

“Hopefully, I’ll be involved against Toronto”.

Kaboul said: “I’m delighted to be a Sunderland player and it’s an honour to join this club”. The one and only aim has to be to get some stability.

“Toronto have some really good players”. It’s been good to meet them and the rest of the boys.