Thomas Meunier has become Sunderland’s first signing of the summer transfer window after leaving Ligue 1 club Lille.
Sunderland’s summer transfer window is up and running after the Black Cats completed a deal to sign Belgium defender Thomas Meunier on a free transfer.
The 34-year-old right-back featured in Belgium’s run to the last 16 of this summer’s World Cup finals before a 2-1 defeat against Spain ended their progression. The loss also meant Meunier could focus on taking the next step in his club career after he became a free agent earlier this month following his departure from Ligue 1 club Lille. The defender will add vital experience of European competition to a Sunderland squad preparing to compete in the Europa League after he featured in the Champions League and Europa League during his time with Club Brugge, Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Lille.
Sunderland’s surprise qualification for the Europa League played a key role in persuading Meunier to move to Wearside as he admitted he was impressed by ‘the ambition, the project and the desire’ shown by the Black Cats during negotiations over his two-year deal.
He told the club website: “I am hugely excited and honoured to join Sunderland. I'm very happy to be here and to begin this new chapter in my career. The Premier League is one of the most competitive and exciting leagues in the world, and it's a challenge I've wanted to experience. When I spoke with the club, I was impressed by the ambition, the project and the desire to keep moving forward. Competing in Europe was also a big factor in my decision because, as a player, you always want to test yourself against the best teams and compete for trophies.” As he prepares to embark on his career at the Stadium of Light ahead of one of the most exciting seasons in the club’s history, where would Meunier fit into the Black Cats side and what is the strongest XI Regis Le Bris could select?
Sunderland’s strongest XI
GK: Robin Roefs RB: Thomas Meunier LB: Trai Hume CB: Dan Ballard CB: Omar Alderete CM: Granit Xhaka CM: Noah Sadiki CM: Habib Diarra LW: Enzo Le Fee RW: Chemsdine Talbi ST: Brian Brobbey
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