Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League was remarkable in so many different ways.
In his debut campaign in English football, Regis Le Bris returned Sunderland to the promised land for the first time since 2017.
But perhaps more impressively, the Black Cats won the Championship play-off final with the youngest squad in the entire division.
That was highlighted by the two goal scorers against Sheffield United. Eliezer Mayenda – who is being targeted by Europe’s biggest clubs – bagged the equaliser at Wembley while Brighton-bound Tommy Watson netted the winner.
Watson and Mayenda are both aged 19 and 20, respectively, but they’re just one of several talents at Sunderland with huge futures in the game.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Jobe Bellingham’s Borussia Dortmund transfer highlights Sunderland strategy
Academy graduate Chris Rigg, who became the youngest play-off final winner, is another gem being wanted by England’s biggest clubs after emerging as an incredible prospect.
The 17-year-old is joined by teammate Jobe Bellingham, the midfield dynamo who now looks set to follow in his brother’s footsteps.
We revealed that Bellingham has agreed to join Borussia Dortmund for a fee that could exceed £30 million with add-ons, after rejecting interest from Eintracht Frankfurt and several Premier League clubs.
What #SAFC are demonstrating with the Jobe sale is that they can – and are willing to – be a pathway for genuine top level young talent.
Know what that’s going to do? Attract top level young talent.
— Michael Graham (@Capt_Fishpaste) June 2, 2025
As highlighted by journalist Michael Graham, Bellingham’s pending sale to Dortmund only demonstrates Sunderland’s ability to attract and nurture top level talent.
Sunderland only captured Bellingham for around £3 million from Birmingham City almost two years ago, and now they’re set to pocket at least 10 times that amount.
That is incredible business from the Black Cats hierarchy, and it isn’t too dissimilar to how another Premier League club are run.
Sunderland are emulating Brighton’s recruitment model
Brighton are a team that have established themselves in the top flight through meticulous and measured recruitment.
The Seagulls often sign players from abroad for cheap and sell them on for hundreds of millions, notably Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister, Marc Cucurella, Yves Bissouma and Ben White.
Player Transfer Fee (Approximate)
Moises Caicedo £115m
Marc Cucurella £65.3m
Ben White £50m
Alexis Mac Allister £35m
Yves Bissouma £25m
They were all captured for relatively cheap and sold to bigger Premier League clubs for huge profits. And even when they sell their players, there is always someone lined up to replace them.
In January, Brighton even rejected a bid of around £54 million from Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr for Kaoru Mitoma, arguably one of the Premier League’s best wingers, who was only captured for £3 million in 2021.
It’s this sort of model that can see Sunderland establish themselves in the top flight, just like the Seagulls have done over the past few years.