Sunderland sign three new players

London: Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has bolstered his squad ahead of the new Premier League season by signing three players.

Defenders Modibo Diakite and Valentin Roberge arrive on free transfers after their contracts at Italian side Lazio and Portuguese team Maritimo, respectively, expired.

Also signing a three-year deal is midfielder Cabral, who moves to the northeast of England from FC Basel, where he won the Swiss league four times.

Sunderland narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League last season, finishing one place above the bottom three.