Steven Fletcher makes loan switch from Sunderland to Marseille

The 28-year-old, whose contract at Sunderland expires at the end of the season, could make his debut for his new club on Tuesday as they face Montpellier.

Fletcher, a £12million signing from Wolves in August 2012, scored 23 goals in 108 appearances for the Black Cats, but has found himself on the periphery of Sam Allardyce's team in recent weeks.

The manager has re-shaped his squad extensively this month with five new signings - Steve Harper, Jan Kirchhoff, Lamine Kone, Wahbi Khazri and Dame N'Doye - and Fletcher's departure further eases pressure on the wage bill following the departures of Costel Pantilimon, Sebastian Coates, Charis Mavrias and Danny Graham.

Out-and-out frontman N'Doye and attacking midfielder Khazri have boosted the club's resources going forward.