Sunderland have signed the former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué on a short-term deal.
Eboué will remain with the club until the end of the season with the Sunderland manager, Sam Allardyce, impressed by the full-back during his time on trial on Wearside.
The Ivorian, 32, is a free agent after being released by Galatasaray but made 216 first‑team appearances for Arsenal from 2005 and 2011, though he was not exactly a fans’ favourite, being booed off the pitch when substituted in a game against Wigan.
“He’s a terrific guy, a very, very good talker as well as a good player,” Allardyce said earlier. “Hopefully when the test comes, he is fit enough to cope.”
After starting his career in his homeland, Eboué moved to Belgium with Beveren before leaving for England and signing for Arsenal in 2004.
He was part of the Gunners’ side which made it to the Champions League final in 2006, spending eight seasons in north London before leaving for Turkey.
