Sunderland confirm signing of former Everton midfielder Pienaar

After beginning his career with Ajax Cape Town in his homeland, Pienaar joined Ajax in Holland, where he won six domestic trophies, including two Eredivisie titles.

David Moyes has a derby as his first home game in charge of Sunderland with Middlesbrough travelling to the Stadium of Light.

Kone, who has impressed since joining Sunderland from Lorient midway through last season, was the subject of an £18m bid from Everton earlier this month.

Sunderland, who narrowly escaped relegation last season, lost their Premier League opener against Manchester City last weekend, and play promoted Middlesbrough on Sunday.

But Joleon Lescott, who has been loosely linked with Sunderland having previously worked with Moyes, looks set to complete a move to Rangers. I’ve told him that from the start. “Whether you play Middlesbrough or Manchester City, they are all hard games”.

Moyes is already without Jan Kirchhoff, Lee Cattermole, Billy Jones and long-term absentee Seb Larsson and Fabio Borini faces a late fitness test on a toe injury.

“But it needed to be done and it’s always been the case that I know the manager trusts me to fill in if needed”.

It had been mooted Sunderland could sell Kone after securing a replacement, but the Black Cats are now determined to keep hold of the powerful defender.

Dunk, 24, was born in Brighton and came up through the ranks with his hometown club, and has racked up more than 150 appearances for the Seagulls, becoming a key part of their defence in recent years. They gave me my passion back and I sincerely thank them for that.