Belgian defender, Thomas Meunier, has signed a two-year deal with Sunderland after joining the Premier League side on a free transfer following his departure from French club Lille.
The 34-year-old once regarded as one of the best full backs in the world, brings in a wealth of experience to the Stadium of Light, having made over 550 senior appearances in his career, including 83 caps for Belgium.
Meunier spent four years each at Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund, establishing himself at the highest level of European football. He then joined Lille in 2024 on a two-year deal and made 35 appearances in all competitions during his final season at the club before his contract expired.
Speaking on Wednesday after completing the move, Meunier said:
”I am hugely excited and honoured to join Sunderland,” he told club media.When I spoke with the club, I was impressed by the ambition, the project and the desire to keep moving forward.
I’m here today because I believe in the project. I saw the squad last season, the results and the quality. I think we can achieve at least the same season as last year.
When I got the call from Sunderland asking me to be part of the project, of course it’s the Premier League – it’s even bigger than European football. But with the Europa League next to it, and for the first time in 50 years, I was attracted directly.
So, I didn’t hesitate.I made the choice to come to Sunderland because I really want to be here.”
Meunier’s departure from Lille comes following the expiration of his contract this summer, prompting a move from Hauts-de-France—an area closely tied to his homeland Belgium—to Tyne and Wear as far as Northern England, joining the Black Cats as they prepare for a historic return to European competition for the time in 53 years.
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