adminSunderland have made Premier League signing of the summer and nobody has noticed it yet
Sunderland’s Transfer Masterstroke: New Goalkeeper Robin Roefs Emerging as Premier League Star
Sunderland returned to the Premier League this season with a bang, following a bold and ambitious summer transfer window. After a nine-year absence, the Black Cats reshaped their squad, bringing in an entirely new starting XI to build on their Championship play-off success — and early signs suggest it’s paying off.
Among several high-profile signings, including Habib Diarra (£30m from Strasbourg), Granit Xhaka, Simon Adingra, and Brian Brobbey, one name is quietly proving to be one of the best pieces of business: Robin Roefs, the 22-year-old Dutch goalkeeper signed from NEC Nijmegen for an initial £9m (rising to £11.5m).
Despite arriving with little fanfare, Roefs has quickly become one of the standout performers in the Premier League. After six games, he has helped Sunderland climb to 5th in the table, conceding just four goals — thanks largely to his shot-stopping heroics.
Roefs the Best Shot-Stopper in the League?
According to data from FBRef, Roefs currently leads all Premier League goalkeepers in Post-Shot Expected Goals (PSxG) saved — with a +2.2 value. In simple terms, based on the quality of shots he has faced, he should have conceded two more goals than he actually has.
His individual displays have been crucial. He made six saves in Sunderland’s recent 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest and another six — including four inside the box — during a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace, who are currently on an 18-game unbeaten run.
He also saved a penalty from Kevin Schade in the win over Brentford and kept a clean sheet against West Ham on opening day. Only Spurs’ Guglielmo Vicario and Burnley’s Martin Dubravka have made more saves this season, while Roefs boasts an 82% save percentage — on par with Arsenal’s David Raya and Vicario.
Sunderland’s Summer Signings (Highlights)
- Habib Diarra – £30m from Strasbourg
- Simon Adingra – £24.4m from Brighton
- Enzo Le Fée – £23m from Roma
- Brian Brobbey – £20m from Ajax
- Granit Xhaka – £15m from Bayer Leverkusen
- Robin Roefs – £9m from NEC Nijmegen
Sunderland’s £163m summer outlay was made possible by strong broadcast revenue projections, low legacy financial constraints, and a manageable wage bill.
Speakman: “He Has All the Tools”
Sunderland’s Sporting Director, Kristjaan Speakman, praised Roefs’ talent and attitude:
“Robin is a talented young goalkeeper who’s been in high demand. His desire to join Sunderland was evident from our first talks. We believe he has all the attributes to play at the highest level.”
As Sunderland prepare for a high-profile clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford, all eyes will be on Roefs. A standout performance at the Theatre of Dreams could solidify his growing reputation — and cement his place as one of the signings of the season.
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