Sunderland boss Di Canio lands top target Altidore in £6m deal



Sunderland have agreed a £6million deal to sign Jozy Altidore from AZ Alkmaar.

The former Hull City striker, and United States international, is expected to join Paolo Di Canio's squad on Sunday when they jet to Italy for a pre-season camp.

Altidore was one of Di Canio's top targets of the summer.

And the 23-year-old, who scored just one Premier League goal for the Tigers on loan from Villarreal four years ago, is understood to have agreed personal terms with Sunderland.

Full steam ahead: Sunderland have agreed a £6m fee with AZ Alkmaar for Jozy Altidore

Altidore, who originates from New Jersey, is from a Haiti-American family. He joined Villarreal from New York Red Bulls in 2008 but failed to break into the first team.

After a brief spell with Bursaspor, he joined AZ Alkmaar two years ago and scored 38 goals in 67 appearances for the Dutch side. He has also scored 17 goals in 60 appearances for the United States, including a vital World Cup qualifying goal against Mexico last month.

Altidore's deal will increase speculation that Connor Wickham's days at the Stadium of Light are numbered although Danny Graham failed to score for Sunderland, and Di Canio, following his £5million move from Swansea and top scorer Steven Fletcher has yet to play for the Italian coach due to injury.



On Saturday morning, AZ Alkmaar confirmed the deal in a statement on their website.



