Striker targets European glory
EL-Hadji Diouf wants Sunderland to be Euro stars.
The Black Cats newest signing, who could make his debut in tonight's pre-season match at Nottingham Forest, helped Bolton into European competition for the first time in their history.
He featured in their Uefa Cup debut in 2005 after Sam Allardyce's Trotters finished sixth in the Premiership.
Sunderland boss Roy Keane has set the conservative target for next season of avoiding another survival scrap.
But the Senegal international hopes his new employers will aim high.
The 27-year-old said: "When I went to Bolton people asked me why, but we finished sixth and qualified for Europe.
"I want to do the same with Sunderland – why not aim for the Uefa Cup next season?
"I'm very happy to be at Sunderland and I think it's a club that should demand respect. It is moving forward to bigger things."
Diouf signed a four-year deal with Sunderland on Monday just a couple of hours before his new club took on Keane's former club Cobh Rangers in Cork, winning 4-0.
The African has not always enjoyed positive publicity but aims to make his football do the talking.
"I can't wait for my Sunderland career to get going," he said. "All I will promise is to give my best for the team."
It's six years since Liverpool paid Lens 10m for Diouf and he knows all about the competitive nature of his new manager.
The pair shared one of the biggest stages in English football, going head-to-head as his Liverpool side got the better of Keane's Manchester United in the 2003 League Cup final.
"I'm happy to play for a man like him," said Diouf.
"I like this type of man, he's a big character and I know he wants to do something big at Sunderland.
"I remember playing against Roy Keane in the League Cup final at Cardiff.
"We had a bit of banter in the game but I like that, he's a strong character and so am I."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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