The Blues will host the Black Cats at Portman Road on August 22nd (3pm), which will mark Town's return to the top flight after a year away.
Sunderland, on the other hand, are preparing to enter the Europa League, having finished seventh last season after securing promotion from the Championship.
Regis le Bris has a new man in his squad, adding Thomas Meunier on a free transfer.
The 83-cap Belgium international has been away at the World Cup, notching an assist off the bench in the round-of-32 comeback against Senegal.
✍️ We are delighted to announce the signing of Thomas Meunier.
The experienced right-back has put pen to paper on a two-year deal at the Stadium of Light ❤️
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) July 15, 2026
Meunier has had a brilliant career so far, joining PSG from Club Brugge in 2016, where he won three Ligue 1 titles. A move to Borussia Dortmund followed four four years later, where he lifted the DFB Pokal trophy in 2021.
The 34-year-old has spent the last few years at Turkish outfit Trabzonspor and Ligue 1 side Lille, leaving the latter at the end of last season.
He now moves to England for the first time in his career, signing a two-year deal with Sunderland. He will likely make his professional debut for the club at Portman Road.
Ipswich and Sunderland have signed one player each so far this summer, with the Blues bringing in Brazilian striker Emersonn from Toulouse for a club-record fee last week.