Defoe signs for Sunderland in return to Premier League

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forward Jermain Defoe  Sunderland signed Jermain Defoe to a three-and-a-half year contract on Friday that brings the England striker back to the Premier League. Defoe spent one season with Major League Soccer's Toronto after leaving Tottenham in 2014, scoring 11 goals in 16 games. The 32-year-old has also played for West Ham and Portsmouth, tallying more than 220 goals during his career in England. "I am delighted to be here and I'm looking forward to the challenge," Defoe, who's scored 19 times for England, said on Sunderland's website. "It is a great club and I've always enjoyed coming up here and playing against Sunderland because of the stadium and the supporters. "It is a great place to play and I'm really looking forward to it." Defoe is eligible to play Saturday when Sunderland visit his former club Tottenham. US international Jozy Altidore signs with Toronto as part of the deal. Altidore began his career in MLS with the MetroStars before moving to Europe. He struggled in England, scoring five goals in 83 games for Hull and Sunderland, but did net 52 times in two seasons with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. The 25-year-old also has 25 goals in 76 US caps.