Former Real Madrid and AC Milan striker Klass-Jan Huntelaar has revealed his pride over the role he played in the early career of Sunderland star Brian Brobbey.
The Netherlands international joined the Black Cats from Ajax during the summer of 2025 and played a leading role in helping Regis Le Bris’ side secure qualification for the Europa League with a seventh place finish in the Premier League. Brobbey’s power and presence at the top end of the pitch has become a key aspect of the Black Cats’ game and goalscoring record of ten goals in 38 appearances does not tell the full story of the impact he has made during his time on Wearside.
Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey.placeholder image
Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey. | Getty Images.
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However, things could have been very different for Brobbey after he was allowed to leave Ajax during the summer of 2021 and joined RB Leipzig on a free transfer. After rejoining the Eredivisie giants on loan just months later, Brobbey made a permanent switch back to his old club during the summer of 2022 and scored a total of 56 goals in 163 throughout his time in the famous red and white shirt.
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Huntelaar was a member of the Ajax staff when Brobbey returned to the club after a year in the Bundesliga and he has been left proud by the impact the striker has made in the Premier League despite conceding he ‘could have shown even more’ during his time at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
He told Dutch magazine Voetbal International: “We brought him back. I feel quite proud, too. I still send him a message every now and then. Like when he did well against Manchester City, with three goals. Brian is a good guy. He is starting to make progress again and make a name for himself. It is coming out more slowly. It is nice to see. He could have shown even more at Ajax, but he can show even more now. He needs to take that final step in the Premier League.”
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