[News] ‘I’m back’: Jermain Defoe completes emotional return to Sunderland at the age of 39 five years after he left the club

Jermain Defoe has completed an emotional return to Sunderland at the age of 39 five years after he left the club for Bournemouth.

Defoe, 39, became a free agent following the mutual termination of his Rangers contract at the start of January and had been linked with a move to Oxford United and Charlton Athletic.  He instead joined  Sunderland where he spent three seasons on Wearside between 2015-2017.

Early Tuesday morning February 1, the League One side announced Defoe’s return and the 39-year-old said in a statement: ‘I’m back’.

During his time at the club, Defoe scored a total of 37 goals in 93 games in all competitions for Sunderland. Following that he went on to represent AFC Bournemouth before playing for Scottish champions, Rangers.