Sunderland have handed Bolo Zenden a contract to the end of the season.

The 33-year-old Dutchman has been signed as a free agent after leaving Marseille during the summer.

The Black Cats are now awaiting international clearance to allow Zenden, who has 54 senior international caps, to go into the squad for Saturday's Premier League clash with Liverpool.

Zenden will provide cover in midfield for Sunderland, who also have the option of extending his deal until the summer of 2011.

The Black Cats are short of numbers in the middle of the park after Dean Whitehead, Grant Leadbitter and Carlos Edwards were sold in the summer while Teemu Tainio was allowed to join Birmingham on loan.

"We are delighted to be able to add a player of Bolo's quality to the squad," manager Steve Bruce said. "He has performed at the highest level year after year and he's done extremely well during his time with the club.

"The move happened fairly quickly. Bolo came in and it was immediately obvious that he was still supremely fit. His performances in training have persuaded me that he has a valuable role to play this season."