Sunderland Rope In This Former West Ham United Left-back: Another Smart Business From The Black Cats? | OneFootball

If a recent update from transfer insider Fabrizio Romano is believed to be true, Sunderland are closing in on free agent Arthur Masuaku on a two-year contract. He also passed his medical on Friday, thus becoming their tenth first-team signing since securing a dramatic top-flight promotion.

Born in France, the 31-year-old DR Congo international is a familiar name to Premier League fans for his tenure with West Ham United. After spending his youth years with Lille OM.S. Fives, Lens, and Valenciennes, the left-back eventually represented the Athenians in Ligue 1. He then plied his trade in Greece following a €300,000 transfer to Olympiacos, and an impressive two-year stint with the Greek giants earned him a €7m transfer to East London in the summer of 2016.

Masuaku primarily challenged and covered Aaron Cresswell for six seasons in succession, and made 128 appearances for the Hammers across competitions. However, his game time decreased in the later years, resulting in a season-long loan to Besiktas. There, he played regularly throughout the 2022-23 season, and the Turkish side triggered the option-to-buy clause in 2023 for the next couple of campaigns.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – APRIL 12: Arthur Masuaku of Besiktas battles for the ball with Deniz Turuc of Istanbul Basaksehir during the Turkish Super League match between Besiktas and Istanbul Basaksehir on April 12, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

Although he won a couple of Cups during his stint with the Black Eagles, the club released him before the new season officially kicked off a month ago. The veteran fullback was exploring his options and has now agreed to return to the Premier League with the newcomers.

Why It Is A Smart Signing For Sunderland

Despite having an array of exciting young prospects, Sunderland continue to bolster the squad with around £136m expenditure already. Regis Le Bris snapped up several emerging stars from France, Belgium, England and the Netherlands, but, at the same time, roped in Granit Xhaka and Reinildo Mandava, who possess experience of the highest order.

While Reinildo is expected to feature more frequently on the left, Masuaku has been brought in for squad depth, particularly due to Dennis Cirkin’s fitness woes. The young fullback underwent wrist surgery in Novemeber, but failed to maintain his usual standard since returning to action. Persistent problems troubled him in the recent past, as he is now expected to miss the start of the 2025-26 season while rehabbing from the wrist injury sustained last year.

Masuaku is known for his energy, marauding runs and attacking traits down the left-hand flank. But his lack of defensive composure might cause problems against counter-attacking threats. Nevertheless, his experience in English football should contribute to the Wearsiders’ battle for survival.