Sunderland’s 10 most expensive signings of all time – Habib Diarra and Ellis Short disaster
Sunderland have made some serious strides from a recruitment perspective over the last 12 months.
Sunderland are looking to avoid the drop from the Premier League this season, and after six games, they have shown some remarkably promising signs.
Regis Le Bris deserves praise for his role in that, as do the players, though it’s Florent Ghisolfi and Kristjaan Speakman who have worked their magic to secure some incredible signings over the last few months.
With that in mind, Mackem News takes a look at Sunderland’s 10 most expensive signings in history, and to no one’s surprise, many of them are only just getting started.
*All fees do not include potential add-ons.
10. Steven Fletcher – £12m from Wolves
While Sunderland may have struggled with strikers over the last five years or so, Steven Fletcher was a solid figure in the Premier League.
Joining from Wolves in a £12million deal back in 2012, the Scotsman went on to make 108 appearances for the Black Cats, scoring 23 goals.
His record wasn’t prolific, but Fletcher popped up in some big moments, including an excellent volley to seal all three points in a 3-0 win against Newcastle.
Now 38 years old, Fletcher has retired from football, having spent the last two years playing for Wrexham.
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9- Asamoah Gyan – £13m from Rennes
On the topic of strikers, Sunderland had an excellent one when they brought Asamoah Gyan to the North East in a £13m deal from Ligue 1 outfit Rennes.
Gyan’s spell on Wearside was short, but it was certainly fruitful.
The Ghanaian made 33 appearances for the Black Cats in the 2010-11 season, where he would score 11 goals and register five assists.
He departed the club the following summer to join Al-Ain, in a move that angered a lot of Sunderland fans, given the nature of it.
8. Granit Xhaka – £13m from Bayer Leverkusen
Sunderland signed Granit Xhaka this summer in a transfer that shocked just about everyone who has eyes on the Premier League.
The Swiss international featured 16th in the Ballon d’Or just two years ago, off the back of an invincible season under Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen.
Xhaka’s stats this season for Sunderland
- 270 completed passes
- Eight chances created
- Three assists
- 12 tackles completed
- 41 duels won
Since arriving on Wearside, Xhaka has impressed greatly for Sunderland and was named in Troy Deeney’s most recent Team of the Week for the role he played in the Black Cats’ win against Forest.
To sign a player of that calibre for an initial £13million was an early sign of the level of recruitment that was going to follow him at Sunderland.
7. Didier Ndong – £13.6m from Lorient
Sunderland have found success when dealing with Lorient, given that it is where Enzo Le Fee and Le Bris both made a name for themselves, though it was a very different situation with Didier Ndong.
At the time of his arrival, Ndong was Sunderland’s record signing, and what was supposed to be a statement arrival turned into nothing short of a nightmare.
After relegation, Ndong started to show his true self and would eventually go AWOL, trying to force a move.
In the end, Sunderland had to allow him to leave for nothing, in what was a very expensive transfer failure for Ellis Short.
6- Noah Sadiki – £15m from Saint-Gilloise
Noah Sadiki is the second on this list so far to have been part of Sunderland’s summer transfer overhaul as they prepared for life back in the Premier League.
Since then, no one has looked back, with Sadiki already proving his worth in the top flight of English football at just 20 years old.
Given the fact that he was somewhat of an unknown, many were surprised to see the Black Cats pay £15m for him, but he is already thriving in England.
70 per cent of the earth is covered by water, and you know the rest.
5. Brian Brobbey – £17m from Ajax
Sunderland lost Marc Guiu after he was recalled by Chelsea in the summer, which led them back into the market for another striker.
They acted fast and brought Brian Brobbey to the Stadium of Light in a deal worth around £17m from Ajax, alongside his teammate Bertrand Traore.
As of right now, the Dutchman is yet to start for the Wearsiders, but has made a handful of substitute appearances in the latter stages of games.
Given the money paid to sign Brobbey, it may not be long until he is given a fair run in the team, though Wilson Isidor has cemented his spot in the starting 11 for now.
4. Chemsdine Talbi – £18m from Club Brugge
Yet another summer recruit features on the list for Sunderland, this time in the form of Chemsdine Talbi, who joined for £18m from Club Brugge.
His displays in Belgium earned him interest from several European clubs, though it was Sunderland who won the race to bring him to the Premier League.
Talbi’s stats this season for Sunderland
- 86 per cent pass accuracy
- Four chances created
- One assist
His impact from a goal contribution perspective has been minimal so far, though the Morocco international has demonstrated an elite work rate, which has proved crucial.
Since arriving, Talbi has been a mainstay in the Sunderland side under Le Bris, and that will only serve as a benefit for weeks and months to come.
3- Enzo Le Fee – £21m from Roma
Enzo Le Fee spent the previous campaign on loan at Sunderland in the Championship, before making the move a permanent one following promotion.
Sunderland haven’t looked back, with the Frenchman already proving his quality in the Premier League, despite playing out of position.
While he may be the third most expensive signing, his technical ability has already showcased why he is worth every penny, and that will only grow as the season goes on.
Fans have taken well to Le Fee, who previously spent time under Le Bris at FC Lorient in France.
2. Simon Adingra – £21m from Brighton
Simon Adingra was linked with a move to Sunderland back in January, in what many thought was an unrealistic move given their Championship status.
Fast forward a few months, and Sunderland snapped him up for a fee in the region of £21m from Brighton after getting back into the top flight.
Since then, he hasn’t quite shown his worth and has been dropped in favour of Le Fee, who has been utilised on the left-wing.
With that said, Adingra has shown plenty of promise, and it will only be a matter of time until he shows his true quality.
1. Habib Diarra – £27m from Strasbourg
Onto Sunderland’s most expensive signing in history, which is Habib Diarra.
The Senagalese international joined the Black Cats for an initial fee of £27m from Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg, beating several other teams to his signature.
Diarra’s latest injury blow at Sunderland has prevented him from making the progress expected, though the early signs from the midfielder were very promising.
Sunderland have plenty of cover in his absence, though the likelihood is that he will return to the starting 11 as soon as he gets back to fitness.
With that said, that may not be until the new year, depending on how AFCON develops.
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