Kaboul capture can be seismic shift for shaky Sunderland defence

Everyone at the Black Cats will be hoping Coates and Kaboul will have better luck at the Stadium of Light, though veteran Wes Brown and Republic of Ireland centurion John O’Shea are still on the books.

Forward-thinking arrivals Adam Matthews and Jeremain Lens may have more about them to excite the Sunderland public, but defensive signings have been perceived as a real priority as well.

Among the lowest Premier League scorers in 2014/15 with 31 goals, the Black Cats backline was also breached 51 times with eight going in during a calamitous display down at Southampton.

Yet that number conceded was by far from the worst in the division, though the need for numbers in the defensive department has been painfully obvious since Paolo Di Canio’s short but sweet stint in charge.

Sunderland are odds-on at 4/11 to stay up and, provided he can prove his fitness, Kaboul can contribute plenty to the cause. His five caps for France is a reflection of an injury-hit career rather than a lack of attributes.

Harry Redknapp signed Kaboul twice, first for Portsmouth and then took him back to Tottenham, and ran down what the player offers at his best upon his White Hart Lane return. “His heading is excellent, he is quick, he can pass the ball,” Redknapp said of Kaboul.

An all-round defender, whose turn of pace admittedly may no longer be what it once was, Kaboul stepping out in possession should complement 6th 5in Coates nicely.