Sunderland boss Paolo di Canio is convinced Jozy Altidore will be a fans' favourite.
Altidore joined Sunderland in a £6m deal from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, where he plundered 31 goals in all competitions last season.
"Altidore is also a great signing for us," said Di Canio to the Evening Chronicle.
"He can get the crowd going, as he showed against Fulham last weekend when he destroyed Aaron Hughes with a burst of pace.
"I know the fans love players who can excite. I am fortunate because I was a player, and I was a hero at West Ham!
"Maybe the other players worked really hard but I got all the attention because I was a number ten!
"The fans saw that Jozy is the kind of player who can do things, and he can be a hero here."
