PLAYER PROFILE

Dickson Etuhu

Position: Midfield

Height: 6'2

Weight: 13st 0lbs

Date of Birth: 1982-06-08 Kano, Nigeria

Dickson Etuhu

Sunderland signed Norwich City midfielder Dickson Etuhu on a four-year deal in summer 2007.

Keane said of the Nigerian-born Etuhu's signing on the Black Cats' official website: "I'm very pleased that Dickson has signed.

"He will add competition to our squad and give us a real physical presence. He's a big, strong player who can also get a goal.

"We're definitely heading in the right direction as far as getting the players we want to the football club.

"The signing of Dickson creates competition and a club like Sunderland needs that.

"We all talk about the big four having competition for places. I feel every club should have it and that's what I'm trying to do here."

The 25-year-old Etuhu scored seven goals in 70 first-team appearances during his 20-month stay at Carrow Road having previously played in almost 150 games for Preston North End.

His first season at Sunderland proved a successful one as he played over 20 games and scored once, however it proved to be his only season there as he joined Fulham in August 2008 for an undisclosed fee.