Sunderland: the new African talent hub in the Premier League | OneFootball

Sunderland: the new African talent hub in the Premier League

Starting from mid-August 2025, Sunderland will make their long-awaited return to the Premier League after years in the wilderness. And for this high-profile comeback to the top flight, the Black Cats are betting big on African talent to build their new project.

This summer at Sunderland, five out of six new signings hail from Africa. It all kicked off on July 1 with the arrival of Senegalese midfielder Habib Diarra, brought in from Strasbourg for €31.5 million—a club record fee.

Three days later, Congolese talent Noah Sadiki landed from Union Saint-Gilloise for €17 million. On July 8, left-back Reinildo Mandava from Mozambique—formerly of Atlético Madrid—signed on a free. The very next day, Sunderland shelled out €20 million to secure Chemsdine Talbi (Club Brugge), a 20-year-old Belgian-Moroccan winger.

On July 10, the club struck again by signing Simon Adingra, the Ivorian international from Brighton, for €24 million. With 60 Premier League appearances and 8 goals to his name, the 23-year-old winger brings valuable experience to an ambitious squad.

The only non-African addition is Frenchman Enzo Le Fée, who arrived from AS Roma for €23 million. Total investment: over €115 million. The message is clear: Sunderland are back in the Premier League, and Africa is at the heart of their project.