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Sunderland seal £8.5 million deal for midfielder Jules Ahoka

Jules Ahoka in action for Royal Antwerp (Photo by KURT DESPLENTER / BELGA MAG / Belga / AFP via Getty Images)

The Congolese midfielder arrives on Wearside from Royal Antwerp, becoming the Black Cats’ third signing of the summer following Thomas Meunier and Dayann Methalie.

Ahoka will wear shirt number 29 for the upcoming campaign.

The Black Cats are prepared to have a busy final week of the transfer market with up to three faces expected to come in.

Career so far

The midfielder, despite costing just under £10 million, only played four games for Royal Antwerp after arriving last summer.

Genk's Bryan Heynen and Antwerp's Jules Ahoka fight for the ball during a soccer match between KRC Genk and Royal Antwerp FC, Tuesday 19 May 2026 in Genk, on the ninth day of the Europe Play-offs (PO 2) of the 2025-2026 'Jupiler Pro League' first division of the Belgian championship. BELGA PHOTO JOHAN EYCKENS (Photo by JOHAN EYCKENS / BELGA MAG / Belga / AFP via Getty Images)

The Belgian side snapped up Ahoka last summer, on a free transfer from AC Normands in his native DR Congo.

Ahoka played twice last season for Antwerp and twice at the beginning of the 2026-27 campaign, registering an assist in a 2-1 win over SK Beveren in the Juplier Pro League.

The midfielder impressed for DR Congo U20’s over the summer, winning The Revelation Award at the Maurice Revello Tournament. Black Cats winger Jocelin Ta Bi also impressed at the tournament

Royal Antwerp snapped up Ahoka last summer on a free transfer AC Normands in his native DR Congo.

Ahoka is 6ft1 and is a defensive midfielder by trade but can also fill in at centre-back, who likes to tackle and drive forward with the ball moving his team up the field.

Depth in midfield

Ahoka arrives expected to be the understudy for 33-year-old captain Granit Xhaka. When fit Xhaka played 90 minutes most of the time but with midweek football he won’t be able to do that all of the time.

The Congo midfielder is likely to start in the Carabao Cup games and get minutes in the Europa League in the early stages of his career on Wearside.

Alongside Ahoka and Xhaka, Sunderland have an extremely strong midfield to choose from with Noah Sadiki, Habib Diarra, Enzo Le Fee and Chris Rigg all options in the middle of the pitch.

Depth will be important with more games to contend with this season, and the midfield is filled with a mix of experience, youth and midfielders willing to cover the ground.

With Ahoka’s arrival it’s likely Alan Browne will depart the club, the midfielder has been linked to Blackburn Rovers and his former club Preston, where he spent 10 years before his move to the North East.

HARRISON, NJ - AUGUST 02: Sunderland midfielder Alan Browne #8 looks on during the friendly match between Wrexham AFC and Sunderland AFC on August 2nd, 2026 at Subaru Park in Chester, PA. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Transfer strategy

Regis Le Bris spoke about being patient and to expect a slow market, with business set to be done in the final weeks, proven by the signings of Methalie and Ahoka as we approach the last seven days of the window.

The 50-year-old had mentioned he felt other clubs had overpaid for players, hence the club being patient with their business this summer.

Despite only playing four professional games, Ahoka is a physical presence with a lot of expectation and Antwerp supporters were upset to find out he’d be leaving.

Manager Marvin Compper was actually talking about the importance of the midfielder during a press conference, unaware a deal had already been agreed.

Sunderland once again turn to the Juplier Pro League

Last season during Sunderland’s £161 million spending spree, two unknown players from the Belgian League were brought to Wearside.

Sadiki arrived from Union Saint-Gilloise for £17.75 million and Chemsdine Talbi arrived for £16.5 million from Club Brugge.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 03: Chemsdine Talbi of Sunderland celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Noah Sadiki during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on December 03, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Both players came to Sunderland unknown, a lot like Ahoka but after just one season both proved to be key in the Black Cats European qualification.

Talbi scored four goals last season, including a late winner at Stamford Bridge and the equaliser at St James’ Park.

Sadiki became an instant fan favourite, covering every blade of grass and was quickly referred to as a Mini Kante.

So, judging by the success of Talbi and the fellow DR Congo star Ahoka could just be the next hidden gem from the Belgian league.

Nilson Angulo taking the free kick that levelled Sunderland to 1-1 . (Photo by Richard Pelham via Getty Images)

Head coach Regis LE BRIS of Sunderland during the friendly match between Lens and Sunderland at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on August 8, 2026 in Lens, France. (Photo by Sandra Ruhaut/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Wilson Isidor celebrating his goal against West Ham on the opening day of the 2025-26 season (Photo by Martin Swinney - Sunderland AFC/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)

Portman Road ahead of a pre-season clash with Rayo Vallecano (Photo by Keeran Marquis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Sunderland players celebrate qualifying for the Europa League after beating Chelsea on the Premier League's final day (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Dayann Metahlie pictured with the three Sunderland shirts ahead of the 2026-27 season (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)

Trai Hume celebrates with Chris Rigg after scoring the winner against Rennes (Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images)

Anthony Patterson in action for Sunderland during the 2024-25 Championship play-off final (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)

General view of Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, France. (Photo by Emilian Baldow/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

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