Former AZ Alkmaar striker Jozy Altidore is thrilled with his move to Sunderland.

The 23-year-old United States international striker signed a four-year deal on Tuesday night as he completed his move from AZ Alkmaar for an undisclosed fee.

Altidore told the club's official website, safc.com: "I'm excited.

"Anybody who knows anything about football knows that the Barclays Premier League, when you look at everything as a full package, is the biggest league in the world.

"I'm thrilled to be here and I'm looking forward to getting adjusted as quickly as possible.

"It's a fantastic club, everyone here is so welcoming. I'm really excited about this season - it has everything here, all the combinations to be a big club, so I'm really excited to be a part of it."

Sunderland will launch their campaign against Fulham at the Stadium of Light, when Altidore will get the chance to experience running out in front of 40,000 Wearsiders for the first time.

He said: "It's great, it's part of taking that next step as a player.

"To be able to play in front of a stadium like that is going to be really exciting - I hope they like what I do on the pitch.

"Everybody, I'm sure, is excited to get the season off to a good start and I'm no different.

"I can't wait to meet the guys, meet the coaching staff and get acclimatised as soon as possible.

"I'm just going to give everything I can to the team, that's the biggest thing, to get the respect of your team-mates and when you do that, I think everything will fall into place.

"I'll just give my all for the club. I really appreciate the club making the investment in me as a player and I want to give that back."