Jermain Defoe seals ‘special’ transfer return to Sunderland aged 39 on short-term deal until end of the sea...
![Jermain Defoe seals special transfer return to Sunderland aged 39 on shortterm deal until end of the sea](/thumb/phpThumb.php?src=%2Fuploads%2Fnews%2F31%2F3161%2F7%2F3161780-jermain-defoe-seals-special-transfer-return-to-sunderland-aged-39-on-short-ter.jpg&w=750&hash=be3ae973babe2f3c5913148234b908e6)
JERMAIN DEFOE has completed his return to Sunderland on a short-term deal until June.
The 39-year-old striker left Glasgow Rangers last month and had several clubs chasing his services.
![Jermain Defoe has completed his return to Sunderland](/thumb/phpThumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F02%2F2ac8336f-ae54-4214-a40c-948f07d21376.jpg&w=728&hash=17cd9b0c66aef250a074afc3ca89b4b4)
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![The 39-year-old scored 37 goals in 93 games for them in his first spell there](/thumb/phpThumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F02%2FNINTCHDBPICT000708654547.jpg&w=728&hash=2b616fe95a2daf70be3219c6050a5849)
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Oxford United were also keen, but it is the League One promotion-chasing Black Cats that have secured his signature.
Defoe said: “I can't stop smiling because this is a special move for me for many reasons.
“I've had so many messages saying, 'remember when you said you would come back', as I said that I would one day and when I left, I wasn't ready to leave.
“I have a special bond with the fans here and the club is in a fantastic position to get promoted.
“I want to be a part of more special times here and I'm looking forward to it.”
The veteran spent two-and-a-half seasons at the Stadium of Light between 2015 and 2017.
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He scored 37 goals in 93 appearances for the club and has 305 goals in 756 club games throughout his career.
Defoe arrives back at Sunderland to a team currently without a manager.
Sunderland sacked Lee Johnson following the 6-0 defeat to Bolton on Saturday.
They are currently third in League One and just two points behind leaders Rotherham.
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