Sunderland’s Summer Surge: New Signings and Bright Futures

Our French connection has allowed us to raid Ligue 1 for young, athletic talents who have quickly adapted to the style of play that Régis Le Bris demands. Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki have fitted in so effectively that even the supremely talented Enzo Le Fée faces a fight to secure a starting berth. Who could have possibly predicted that?

Premier League know-how has been added in the shape of Granit Xhaka, a player of the quality that absolutely no one (other than KLD) could have imagined for a newly promoted side. With Simon Adingra and Arthur Masuaku, we have brought in players who know how to play in the Premier League.

And top players from European leagues are now wearing the famous red and white – Reinildo Mandava, Chemsdine Talbi, Robin Roefs, and Omar Alderete. Finally, Chelsea entrusted us with the hugely promising Marc Guiu.

As exciting as all those new arrivals are, what has been equally impressive is the quiet efficiency with which the club have tied down some of our most valuable assets. New contracts for the boss, Régis Le Bris, and Eliezer Mayenda were as much a statement of intent as any of the new arrivals. Le Bris attracted interest from an established Premier League side, and Mayenda, with his strength and pace, has all the potential to become a top Premier League striker.

And, in the space of a few hours, news filtered through that one of the club’s brightest young prospects and possibly one of the best-value signings in the club’s history have both committed their futures to Sunderland.

Trey Ogunsuyi is undoubtedly the most exciting striker to emerge from our Academy since Josh Maja. The contrast in how Sunderland dealt with their emergence, from Madrox to the KLD era, could not be more pronounced. Maja was shipped out for a relative pittance, at a time when his value to a team trying to escape League One could not have been greater.

In contrast, Ogunsuyi has been persuaded to commit his long-term future to Sunderland, despite interest from teams such as Liverpool. It is telling that such a highly talented young player sees our club as being the best place to progress, at such a crucial stage of his career. It is a testament to the vision and structure that has been established in this incarnation of Sunderland. There are many factors that have contributed to this, but it is predominantly about the people – KLD, Kristjaan Speakman, Régis Le Bris, Graham Murty, and the entire coaching team that underpins the transformation that continues to take place on the banks of the Wear.

And now the owner of the finest porn ‘tache to grace a Sunderland pitch since Big Sam Allardyce turned out in red and white during his playing days at Roker Park has committed his long-term future to our club.

Trai Hume is the sort of player that scouting teams dream of recruiting. From a promising prospect at Linfield to the Premier League, from joining as almost a boy to captaining his country, from signing for £200,000 to a bid of £10 million from a Bundesliga team being laughed off, Trai Hume is a perfect example of how Speakman’s model of signing and developing young talent can pay dividends.

Jobe may have been the poster boy for what Speakman was seeking to implement – but there was a certain inevitability about his progression. He had the talent, the work ethic, and the humility. He was always destined to follow the path of his older brother.

There was no such certainty with Trai Hume. In his early performances, there was always the potential for a rash tackle. Occasionally, he would concede possession on the dead-ball line, trying to work his way out of a difficult position. Such setbacks may have undermined the confidence of such a young, inexperienced defender. Instead, the Irishman got his head down, learned, adapted – and all without losing the mentality to deliver the sort of crunching, scything tackle that brings the crowd to their feet with the cry of ‘Huuuuuuuume’ echoing round the stadium.

Mayenda’s powerful finish and Tommy Watson’s skilful placement will always dominate memories of Wembley in May. But so will the sight of Hume demolishing Ben Brereton Díaz, leaving him lying prostrate on the touchline.

And he is equally capable of delivering an emphatic finish at the other end of the field, as well as providing the type of cross that strikers thrive on.

I have no idea how much a full-back with Hume’s ability is worth in today’s market. Thankfully, it will be some time before any of us find the answer to that question. The boy from Linfield will probably be the first name on Le Bris’ team sheet against West Ham – long may that be the case!

There is still much work to be done – it would be a real demonstration of how much our club has progressed if Dan Neil and Dennis Cirkin also commit to staying at Sunderland beyond their current contracts. Sunderland already have club options on the other key players whose contracts expire in 2026 – Patrick Roberts, Luke O’Nien, and Niall Huggins.

If Neil and Cirkin also commit their futures to the club, it would represent an excellent summer of business for the club.

And the transfer window doesn’t close for over two weeks! Exciting times.