Sunderland has confirmed the departure of midfielder Pierre Ekwah.
As previously reported by The Echo, AS Saint-Etienne has exercised their option to buy Ekwah on a permanent basis after the midfielder spent the 2024/25 season on loan. The deal had not been confirmed due to concerns about Ekwah’s long-term future, following the French club’s relegation to Ligue 2.
However, Sunderland has now officially acknowledged that he has left the club. Sunderland are expected to get roughly £5 million for Ekwah’s exit, though West Ham United have a large sell-on fee. The Black Cats paid a little sum to sign him in January 2023.
Sunderland’s sporting director, Kristjaan Speakman, stated: “Pierre moved last summer to play consistently and further his development. He accomplished this, and while it was a difficult season for Saint-Étienne, their willingness to exercise this option reflects the quality of his performances. Pierre joined us with no senior experience; he believed in Sunderland, and we believed in him. We are proud of our involvement in his career, and he is held in high regard by our fans. We all wish him well in the next phase of his career.”
Sunderland confirm the leadership choice
Sunderland has announced that Granit Xhaka will be the club’s captain this season.
Xhaka formerly held the position at Borussia Mönchengladbach and Arsenal, and he has captained Switzerland since 2020. When he arrived from Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer, the 32-year-old became Sunderland’s headline summer signing and was largely expected to take on the position.
Last season, the captaincy duties were divided between Dan Neil as team captain and Luke O’Nien as club captain, with a leadership group formed within the locker room. That will happen again this year, but the club has confirmed that they will install the entire leadership group once the summer transfer market closes.
Head coach Régis Le Bris stated that he has been highly impressed with Xhaka’s skills since his arrival, both on and off the pitch, and emphasised the importance of his position this season.
“In the Premier League, it will be important to have consistency, maturity, and experience,” Le Bris told the press.
“Granit embodies all of these features. His performance thus far has been outstanding, and his level on the field is evident. Others may sense his influence, and his leadership will help the team adjust to a new environment and tackle new difficulties and chances. Granit’s job will also be part of a new leadership team, which will be announced once the summer transfer market closes.”
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