Sunderland have finalised their third summer acquisition with the capture of Jules Ahoka from Royal Antwerp.
The Black Cats have agreed a deal reportedly worth approximately £8.6million for the 20-year-old Democratic Republic of Congo international, who will strengthen their engine room ahead of their European commitments.
Ahoka has committed his future to Sunderland for the next five years and is set to play a key role under Regis Le Bris.
Prior to this move, the North East club had only managed to bring in defender Thomas Meunier and forward Dayann Mathalie during the transfer period, making it a relatively quiet window so far.
The club remains optimistic about securing additional players before the September 1 deadline.
Sporting director Florent Ghisolfi explained the reasoning behind pursuing the young midfielder, stating that the club had monitored his progress for an extended period and were impressed by attributes that belied his youth. His displays at the Toulon Tournament showcased his strength, defensive awareness and character, while his time in Belgium provided him with crucial top-level experience. Ghisolfi expressed confidence that Sunderland offers the ideal setting for his continued progression and revealed the club is pleased to have him on board, anticipating helping him advance through the next stages of his professional journey.
The midfielder will sport the number 29 shirt during his stint on Wearside and expressed his enthusiasm about beginning this new chapter. He described feeling honoured to become a Sunderland player, acknowledging the club’s substantial aspirations and his eagerness to integrate into the squad. He emphasised his commitment to working diligently, absorbing knowledge from colleagues and coaches, and refining his abilities as a footballer, pledging to deliver his utmost for the club.