Done deal – Kristjaan Speakman confirms fans favourite star transfer decision as striker has completed a season-long loan move to Portuguese side Moreirense FC.

Sunderland’s Hemir Joins Moreirense on Season-Long Loan

Sunderland have officially confirmed that 22-year-old striker Luis Hemir has joined Portuguese top-flight side Moreirense FC on a season-long loan for the 2025/26 campaign.

Moreirense, who have kicked off their Primeira Liga season in strong form with three wins from three matches, will provide Hemir with a valuable opportunity to gain regular first-team experience and continue his development at the highest level in Portugal.

Hemir signed for Sunderland from Benfica in June 2023 and spent last season in Italy with Juventus Next Gen, where he made 27 appearances.

While he showed signs of promise, intense competition for attacking roles under manager Régis Le Bris has limited his opportunities at the Stadium of Light.

Explaining the move, Sunderland’s sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said:
“Throughout the summer, we’ve worked to find the right loan opportunity for Hemir.

We believe Moreirense offers the right environment for his growth, and we wish him all the best for the season ahead.”

Hemir is the latest player to leave on loan as Sunderland continue reshaping their squad following a busy transfer window.

Le Bris Hints at New Role for Isidor After Huddersfield Clash

Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris has suggested that Wilson Isidor could play a bigger role on the left wing after his strong showing in the Carabao Cup match against Huddersfield Town.

Despite the Black Cats exiting the competition via penalties after a poor first half, Le Bris shifted the formation from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 at halftime. The change brought an immediate improvement in attacking play, particularly down the left where Isidor posed a consistent threat.

Isidor, who began his career as a wide player but has mostly featured centrally since joining Sunderland, may now be asked to step into a wider role—especially with Romaine Mundle sidelined until October due to a hamstring injury and limited options on the left flank.

Le Bris commented:
“We spoke with Wilson in pre-season about his versatility. In the Premier League, you need options—pace, creativity, and players who can start or finish in different roles. If Wilson can play both centrally and out wide like he did tonight, it’s a huge asset.”

The manager also revealed that midfielder Alan Browne may still leave before the window closes, after being left out of the squad entirely on Tuesday night.

While disappointed with the result, Le Bris focused on the positives:
“Of course, we always aim to win, and we didn’t.

But beyond the result, we learned a lot. The first half was tough—we tested a new setup and several new players. That’s what games like this are for. We improved after the break and showed good energy.”

He went on to explain that the switch in formation helped unlock more attacking potential:
“The shape change was important. Playing two strikers in the first half was difficult, likely due to the opponent’s low block.

In the second half, we went 4-3-3 with Wilson on the left, Marc in the center, and Pat on the right—and it worked. The players brought intensity and tried hard, which is key.”

Le Bris concluded by noting that while the result was disappointing, performances like this help guide team selection moving forward:
“Just because the outcome wasn’t ideal doesn’t mean the effort goes unnoticed. It was a useful test, and I think it will benefit us heading into the weekend.”