Former Arsenal full-back and amateur comedian Emmanuel Eboue is back in England after being released by Turkish club Galatasaray, and the Ivory Coast international is looking to make a return to the Premier League.
The Sunderland Echo today revealed the news that brought a smile to the face of every Arsenal fan, and a look of genuine fear to the face of every Sunderland fan when they confirmed that Emmanuel Eboue was training with Sunderland on an invitation from the club that was given the green light by Sam Allardyce.
While for the moment the agreement is purely to help Eboue regain fitness in his search for a new club, Sunderland are light on numbers in terms of full-backs, so you never know.
Eboue is a free agent after leaving Turkish side Galatasary last summer and has been invited to train with Sam Allardyce’s men.
However, it is understood that at this stage, Eboue is only at Sunderland with a view to keeping fit, rather than being on trial with the club.
The 32-year-old had been keen to return to the Premier League during the January transfer window - and made a come-and-get-me plea to former club Arsenal.
That come and get me plea was understandably ignored, but is there hope for Eboue in England?
At the peak of his powers, he was never that good of a defender. The odd step-over and comedy moment appeared to brush over hours of hapless defending, but surely after regaining fitness with the Black Cats some team in the Championship may desire his experience, or rather, his ability to make his teammates laugh.
You have to admit it would be a great story.
We'll certainly be keeping an eye out in the coming weeks to see what comes of this arrangement with Sunderland, although a reunion with Adebayor at Crystal Palace would easily be the best outcome for the neutral.
[Sunderland Echo]
