Everyone is a winner as ‘very nice’ detail of Robin Roefs move to Sunderland revealed
Robin Roefs has been sensational since signing for Sunderland in the summer.
Sunderland signed Roefs from NEC Nijmegen in a deal worth up to £11.5million, with the 22-year-old signing a five-year deal at the Stadium of Light.
And the Dutchman has started every single one of the Black Cats’ Premier League games since, conceding just seven goals and keeping four clean sheets.
Anthony Patterson now looks set to leave Sunderland, despite starting 42 Championship games last season for Regis Le Bris.
But Roefs has been touted as one of Europe’s next best goalkeepers, with the 22-year-old expected to continue to develop.
NEC Nijmegen delighted with Robin Roefs developments
Sunderland fans were stunned when they saw Roefs in action for the first time in pre-season, and the Dutchman has only continued to impress.
Countless brilliant saves, superb technical ability on the ball, and a commanding presence over the penalty box.
| Robin Roefs | Premier League 2025-26 |
| Appearances | 9 |
| Goals conceded | 7 |
| Clean sheets | 4 |
| Saved penalties | 1 |
| Saves | 33 |
| Save percentage | 82.5% |
| Goals prevented | 2.94 |
Roefs appears to be the perfect goalkeeper, and at just 22, is not even close to being anywhere near his prime.
For that reason, his former club, NEC Nijmegen, will be delighted with the deal also. The club’s chief executive officer, Wilco van Schaik, spoke to ESPN NL and was asked if a sell-on percentage had been agreed.
“Yes,” he said. “That’s also a bonus. That’s very nice.” Van Schaik added: “It’s obviously impossible what we received for Roefs, but these are the amounts we’re going to trade for.”
Additionally, one of the bonuses related to the transfer will be activated if Sunderland stay in the Premier League this season – a feat that already looks almost guaranteed.
“But I’ve already spent half of that,” Van Schaik joked.
What is being said about Roefs in the Netherlands?
Roefs’ main competition going into the World Cup next year also plays in the Premier League – Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen.
The 23-year-old started both of the Netherlands’ most recent World Cup qualifiers, with the Sunderland man left on the bench.
On his choices, Ronald Koeman said in September: “They’re more than good goalkeepers, all three of them. With Bart, we have our first-choice goalkeeper. The rest have to compete and play to their level at their club, so they’ll eventually get their chance.”
But there is a growing feeling in the Netherlands that Roefs may well have taken that first-choice tag by the time Koeman’s squad travel to North America.
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