Marseille sign Sunderland striker Fletcher

Fletcher joined Sunderland from Wolves for £12 million ($17 million, 15.9 million euros)in 2012 and scored 23 goals in 108 appearances, but he fell out of favour with Black Cats boss Sam Allardyce and has been allowed to move to the French giants.

The 28-year-old's Sunderland contract expires at the end of the season, making it unlikely he will return to the Stadium of Light once he has completed his surprise spell in Ligue 1.

"Sunderland AFC have confirmed that striker Steven Fletcher has joined French side Olympique Marseille until the end of the season, when his contract with Sunderland expires," Sunderland said on their website.

"The 28-year-old Scotland international could make his debut for Michel's side in Tuesday's Ligue 1 game at Montpellier."

Fletcher had played just 10 times since Allardyce took over from Dick Advocaat in early October last year with his last appearance coming nearly a month ago in the FA Cup third round defeat at Arsenal.