Titus Bramble was spotted training with West Ham United, a month after his three-year contract with Sunderland expired.
The 31-year-old defender, who made 19 starts for Sunderland last season, left the Stadium of Lights after being involved in a controversy with the club manager Paolo Di Canio. Consequently, he was fined two weeks wages.
He told the Daily telegraph: “I’ve never played under anyone like him and I’ve played for some of the best managers around – Steve Bruce, Roberto Martinez and Sir Bobby Robson.
“He (Di Canio) thinks he knows everything, but he has got a lot to learn.
“He’s got a long, long way to go before he gets anywhere near as good as Sir Bobby Robson. He’s a young manager trying to stamp his mark on things, but he’s making some big mistakes.
“He’s targeted the easy players, the ones who are leaving anyway, trying to show he’s the boss. I was fined for not going to a weights session. Everyone else at the club thought it was ridiculous, but he’s trying to be tough.”