Trinidad and Tobago's national soccer team striker Dwight Yorke - file

london, cmc:

Sunderland have signed Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) star Dwight Yorke from Sydney FC for £200,000, hours before the close of the transfer window.

The move will see Yorke's return to England just one year after he left to play in Australia's A-League and also see him reuniting with new manager Roy Keane, a former teammate at Manchester United.

Yorke, Keane's first signing since taking charge as manager this week, has penned a two-year deal with the north-east England club and could be in action for their next fixture against Derby tomorrow.

"It's sad to see Dwight leave," Sydney FC coach Terry Butcher said.

well respected

"He is a great player and a tremendous personality to have in the team and he has worked very hard since I came to Sydney to be in shape to play. He has great respect amongst the players and coaching staff and he will be missed."

Yorke played 21 games for Sydney FC in his first season there, scoring seven goals and enabling the club to capture the inaugural A-League title. He earned rave reviews for his outstanding performances for T&T's Soca Warriors at the FIFA World Cup in Germany earlier this year, and was tipped to leave Sydney FC before the new season began last week. "Dwight Yorke has made an unbelievable contribution to Sydney FC and Australian football and we wish him nothing but luck in his new endeavours with Sunderland," Sydney FC's chairman Walter Bugno said. Yorke, who started his career for Aston Villa in 1989 before moving to giants Manchester United, Blackburn and Birmingham City, has been one of England's most prolific strikers banging in 189 goals in his career.

He had a terrific season for United in 1999 when they captured the historic treble, a team that also included Keane.