This former Spurs star was instrumental in Sunderland's signing of Younes Kaboul

Apparently Tottenham Hotspur have an old friend to thank for helping convince Younes Kaboul to sign with Sunderland. Former striker Jermain Defoe, Spurs long-time frontman and now a Black Cats player, reportedly encouraged Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat to sign the central defender, calling him "a top signing."

"Dick Advocaat asked me what I thought of him and I told him if you can get him he'll be a top signing. He's a great guy. Obviously I played with him at Tottenham for a few years and then again at Portsmouth. He's a top player and a top professional.

He was Spurs captain and he is a leader on the pitch. Physically he's so strong, I think he's a player who has got everything and I think he'll do really well at Sunderland.

Younes is a winner and a natural leader on the pitch and he'll come to the club and bring that attitude - he's a great signing for us.

Even in training he was always going for it, running, tackling, heading, attacking - fans will love what he'll bring to the team."

Amidst all the rumors of locker room discontent and "Kaboul Cabals," it's easy to forget just how monstrous a player Kaboul was for Tottenham. For a few years, he was easily Spurs' best defender and a rock in the back line. The past few seasons have seen Kaboul hamstrung by injuries and managerial decisions, but he clearly still has the quality to play at the EPL level. If he can get back to something close to the form he displayed while at Tottenham, he could be a very good addition to a Black Cats squad that needs a healthy injection of defensive acumen.

Kaboul didn't have a future with Tottenham, but even after last season's train-wreck I'm still sad to see him go. I hope he can do a job for Sunderland.