Sunderland's decision to re-sign Jermain Defoe in January was a gamble that backfired - but sporting director Kristjaan Speakman says that does not mean the club was wrong to take the risk. The Black Cats brought the 39-year-old former Spurs and England man to Wearside after he was released by Rangers, with Defoe rejoining the club four-and-a-half years after his first spell came to an end.
Defoe arrived the day after Lee Johnson had been sacked as head coach, and almost a fortnight before Alex Neil was appointed as his successor. But Defoe's return saw him start just two games, and come off the bench in five more, without scoring before he announced his retirement from playing towards the end of March.
With Nathan Broadhead still recovering from a hamstring injury, that left Sunderland without specialist cover for leading scorer Ross Stewart but thankfully the Scot stayed fit to score the goals that kept the club on course for the play-offs and ultimately promotion. Speakman says that not every transfer decision works out, but hinted that he could point to other risks the club took with bringing in young and inexperienced players that did work out.
