adminSure! Here’s a rephrased version of the article, preserving all t Sunderland’s 39 Permanent Signings Under Kyril Louis-Dreyfus – Ranked from Worst to Best
Before the summer additions of Enzo Le Fee and Habib Diarra, Sunderland had made 39 permanent signings under the ownership of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus. These signings have ranged from remarkable successes to outright disappointments. While transfer fees are often undisclosed, estimates have been provided based on available data.
Here’s a comprehensive ranking from worst to best:
—
39. Nazariy Rusyn
From: Zorya Luhansk, Sep 2023 – £2.2m
Verdict: Possibly the poorest signing of the era. With just two goals in 32 appearances, Rusyn failed to justify his hefty price tag. His loan spell at Hajduk Split produced no goals, and he remains under contract until 2027.
—
38. Jewison Bennette
From: Herediano, Aug 2022 – £1m
Despite early promise, including a goal against Watford, Bennette contributed little over two years. He moved to LNZ Cherkasy in Ukraine in 2024.
—
37. Abdoullah Ba
From: Le Havre, Aug 2022 – £800k
Ba failed to settle in the team and was loaned to Dunkerque. With just four goals in 74 games, he’s not lived up to expectations.
—
36. Adil Aouchiche
From: Lorient, Sep 2023 – £1.7m
Another costly French import who hasn’t delivered. A loan to Portsmouth followed a lacklustre 38 appearances, and Sunderland are now hoping to offload him permanently.
—
35. Timothee Pembele
From: PSG, Sep 2023 – £900k
The ex-PSG full-back showed glimpses but struggled to adapt. After a loan at Le Havre, he’s expected to depart this summer.
—
34. Ian Poveda
From: Leeds, Jul 2024 – Free
Signed for free but made no senior starts due to persistent injuries. Still contracted for two more years.
—
33. Milan Aleksic
From: Radnicki, Aug 2024 – £3m
One of Sunderland’s most expensive signings but has barely played. A loan to Partizan Belgrade is on the cards.
—
32. Bradley Dack
From: Blackburn, Jul 2023 – Free
Struggled with injuries, scoring once in 17 appearances. Left after a single season and now plays for Gillingham.
—
31. Isaac Lihadji
From: Lille, Jan 2023 – £400k
Made just six appearances before being sold to Al-Duhail in Qatar. At least the club made a small profit.
—
30. Jermain Defoe
From: Rangers, Feb 2022 – Free
A romantic return that didn’t work out. Defoe failed to score in seven appearances before retiring.
—
29. Leon Dajaku
From: Union Berlin, Jul 2022 – £800k
Made little impact across two seasons before moving on. Spent time in Croatia and UAE after leaving Sunderland.
—
28. Ahmed Abdullahi
From: Gent, Aug 2024 – £1.2m
Signed while injured and yet to debut. He’s shown promise in the reserves but remains an unknown quantity.
—
27. Aaron Connolly
Unattached, Sep 2024 – Free
Made headlines for speaking about personal issues but failed to make an impact. Left after four months.
—
26. Joe Anderson
From: Everton, Jan 2023 – £300k
Injuries hampered his progress. He spent last season on loan at Shrewsbury and has one year left on his deal.
—
25. Pierre Ekwah
From: West Ham, Jan 2023 – £500k
Showed flashes of potential but fell out of favour and went on loan to St Etienne. Future at the club is uncertain.
—
24. Luis Hemir
From: Benfica, Aug 2023 – £400k
Struggled in English football and scored no goals in 24 appearances. Loaned to Juventus B and has a contract until 2028.
—
23. Blondy Nna Noukeu
From: Stoke, Aug 2024 – Free
Hasn’t featured for the first team but serves as a backup goalkeeper.
—
22. Simon Moore
From: Coventry, Jun 2024 – Free
Started four league matches in Patterson’s absence. Still on the books as a reserve option.
—
21. Jay Matete
From: Fleetwood, Jan 2022 – £200k
Played a useful role in the promotion-winning season but faded from the first-team picture. Was on loan at Bolton.
—
20. Alex Bass
From: Portsmouth, Jul 2022 – £250k
Made two senior appearances and left in 2024. Memorable for scoring a late equaliser in a reserves game vs Newcastle.
—
19. Leo Hjelde
From: Leeds, Jan 2024 – £1.5m
A solid signing who covered both left-back and centre-half. Played 31 times, including a cameo at Wembley.
—
18. Alan Browne
From: Preston, Jul 2024 – Free
Made key contributions during the promotion run. His most memorable moment was assisting Clarke’s goal vs Leeds.
—
17. Nathan Bishop
From: Man Utd, Aug 2023 – £400k
Hardly played but was praised for his off-pitch influence. Recently sold to AFC Wimbledon.
—
16. Jenson Seelt
From: PSV, Jun 2023 – £1.8m
Had serious injury setbacks but still seen as a player with potential.
—
15. Nectar Triantis
From: Central Coast Mariners, Jun 2023 – £300k
Shone while on loan at Hibernian. Likely to be sold this summer for a profit.
—
14. Alex Pritchard
From: Huddersfield, Jun 2021 – Free
Key to the League One promotion and contributed during the first Championship season. Later sold to Birmingham.
—
13. Niall Huggins
From: Leeds, Aug 2021 – Free
Injury-prone but showed real talent when fit. Recently extended his deal to 2026.
—
12. Corry Evans
From: Blackburn, Jul 2021 – Free
Captain during promotion and a leader on and off the pitch before an ACL injury halted his career.
—
11. Aji Alese
From: West Ham, Jul 2022 – £500k
Reliable when fit but has endured multiple serious injuries. Can operate at both full-back and centre-half.
—
10. Danny Batth
From: Stoke, Jan 2022 – Free
A rock in defence and a key part of the play-off-winning team. Played consistently until injury in 2023.
—
9. Romaine Mundle
From: Standard Liege, Feb 2024 – £1.7m
Took time to settle but impressed last season with five goals. Looks like a bargain now.
—
8. Wilson Isidor
From: Zenit, Feb 2025 – £5m
Top striker last season with 13 goals. Signed permanently for a pre-agreed £5m fee – a steal given his output.
—
7. Eliezer Mayenda
From: Sochaux, Jul 2023 – £700k
Breakthrough campaign last season with ten goals, including the play-off final equaliser. Value has skyrocketed.
—
6. Dan Ballard
From: Arsenal, Jul 2022 – £2m
A commanding centre-back whose value has soared. Scored a vital play-off goal last season.
—
5. Dennis Cirkin
From: Tottenham, Aug 2021 – £500k
An ever-present when fit and a reliable performer. One of the most consistent players over multiple seasons.
—
4. Jack Clarke
From: Tottenham, Jul 2022 – £750k
Signed for under £1m and sold for potentially £20m. A fan favourite who contributed 27 goals in 94 appearances.
—
3. Patrick Roberts
From: Man City, Jan 2022 – Free
A free transfer masterstroke. Roberts has played over 140 games and remains a creative force for Sunderland.
—
2. Jobe Bellingham
From: Birmingham, Jun 2023 – £1.5m
Initially questioned, but proved critics wrong with 11 goals in 90 games. Sold to Borussia Dortmund for €33m – a sensational return.
—
1. Trai Hume
From: Linfield, Jan 2022 – £200k
Signed under the radar, but Hume has become indispensable. With 132 appearances and a role in two promotions, he epitomises the club’s rise under Louis-Dreyfus. A quiet yet hugely influential success story.
—
Let me know if you’d like this turned into a table, infographic, or shorter sum
admin
