Jermain Defoe: Sunderland striker set to join Bournemouth on free transfer

Jermain Defoe scored 18 times during a loan spell at Bournemouth in the 2000-01 season

Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe is close to signing for Bournemouth on a free transfer.

The England player, 34, joined Sunderland in January 2015, scoring 15 goals for the Black Cats who have been relegated to the Championship.

A teenage Defoe spent the 2000-01 season on loan at Bournemouth from West Ham, scoring in 10 successive matches.

The transfer is understood to be "moving quickly" although no formal announcement is expected on Tuesday.