Transfer Rumours The Sunderland Links/Transfer Rumours Thread - Summer 2025

Salmon?

 

Sunderland AFC is delighted to announce the signing of Noah Sadiki.

The versatile midfielder arrives on Wearside for an undisclosed fee from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, with whom he played an integral role in their historic 2024-25 Belgian title triumph.

Sadiki has agreed a five-year contract at the Stadium of Light and becomes the Club’s third summer signing, joining Enzo Le Fée and Habib Diarra on Wearside ahead of the Premier League season.

The 20-year-old already has 140 senior appearances under his belt and represented R.S.C. Anderlecht before moving to Union SG in 2023.

He said: “I want to thank everyone for welcoming me to Sunderland. This is a huge Club, but what convinced me was speaking to the people. They spoke about the history, what they want to build, and their belief in the part that I can play. I will bring duels, forward runs, passion, and track back. Above all else, I want to win – and I carry this desire with me every time I step onto the field. This is my team now, and I’m really happy with my decision.”

Born in Brussels, Sadiki joined Anderlecht aged six and progressed through the RSCA ranks before catching the eye of Head Coach Vincent Kompany, who selected him for two friendly fixtures in October 2021 and January 2022.

He featured 12 times in the Jupiler Pro League during the 2022-23 season and made five appearances in the UEFA Conference League, whilst also featuring for RSCA Futures – Anderlecht’s second team – in the Challenger Pro League, Belgium’s second tier.

Sadiki joined USG in summer 2023 and immediately became an integral part of the side that won the Belgian Cup during the 2023-24 season but heartbreakingly missed out on the Belgian title by a single point.

Victory over Club Brugge in the Belgian Super Cup, followed and Sadiki ended his time in Belgium with the ultimate prize, as USG ended a 90-year title drought to become league champions on the final day of the 2024-25 campaign.

Sporting Director, Kristjaan Speakman added: “Noah’s enjoyed a great level of experience at a relatively young age, and alongside his drive to improve, this makes him an exciting addition to our squad. During his time at USG, he’s played in domestic and European competitions regularly, and the Premier League is a natural next step in his promising career. Our interest in acquiring his talents was long-standing, and we believe our culture and playing identity will enable him to thrive. He’s excited to be here, and we look forward to supporting him as he settles in Sunderland.”

 

Hopefully not the salmon mousse.

 

Sunderland AFC has completed the signing of 20-year-old midfielder Noah Sadiki from Belgian Pro League champions Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

Sadiki joins on a five-year deal and becomes the Club’s third summer signing following the arrivals of Enzo Le Fée and Habib Diarra, as Sunderland prepare for their return to the Premier League.

A versatile and athletic midfielder, Sadiki has already made 140 senior appearances across domestic and European competitions. He began his career at RSC Anderlecht, coming through the ranks under Vincent Kompany before making his senior breakthrough in the 2022-23 season.

After moving to Union SG in 2023, he quickly became a first-team regular. He helped the club win the Belgian Cup and played a key role in their 2024-25 title-winning campaign - Union SG’s first league championship in 90 years - earning a place in the Belgian Pro League Team of the Year.

Sadiki primarily operated on the left side of a midfield three and impressed with his ball-carrying and attacking instincts. He ranked in the top 3% of central midfielders in comparable leagues for carries into the final third and top 6% for carries into the penalty area. He also posted strong numbers for progressive carries, through balls, and expected assists.

Defensively, he recorded 7.6 defensive actions per 90 and ranked highly for tackles in advanced areas, underlining his work rate and pressing ability. While capable of filling in at full back, his natural position is central midfield.

Sadiki also brings international experience with DR Congo and is seen as a high-potential talent ready to take the next step in the Premier League.

 

Something has to shift for these pieces to fit.

Bellingham - out Diarra - in

Brown/Niel - out? Sadiki - in

Patto - out new keeper in (Incoming)

 

We'll need 6 cm for the squad this season if we are going 433

 

We need a much better squad. I can’t see Brown stepping up at PL level over a load of games.

our 1st team squad is still very thin.

 

are CM last season were

neil
jobe
rigg
samed
brown
aleksic
Lee fee

jobe and samed have gone
aleksic will probably leave on loan

and brown will also be loaned or sold

that would leave us with
Neil
le fee
rigg
diarra
sadiki

so we would still need 1 more and 2 if neil goes

 

Have it on good authority that there are already 2 medical booked for next week.

 

5 players fighting for 2 or 3 positions.

Not including all of the players we had out on loan, Triantis, Ba, Matete, Ekwah

 

Me for my knee op and??

 

all will leave triantis i think will get another loan but depends if he wants that if not he'll be sold aswell

 

My shoulder….

 

I like Triantis’s attitude. He said he’d like to show RLB what he’s capable of which, for me, is great to hear.
No idea if he’ll be good enough but, nothing ventured, nothing gained

 

So, my original comment still stand, we will have to shift players for the new ones to fit in

 

none of those four are coming back though.

if he goes 433 which I suspect he will, that’s 3 midfield spots between

LeFee
Neil
Habib
Sadik
Rigg

given injuries and sub rotation, it’s thin.

we need 2 more wide players and another up top as well, if you ask me.

 

Jobe is replaced by Diarra
Salis is replaced by Sadiki

1st team wise I suspect Browne might go, hopefully a championship club comes in for him

The players who are returning from loan won't feature

 

So, my original thought still stands, we have to shift players to make others fit. Non of those on loan with the exception to Triantis will not make the bench, we need quality premier players.

So, we will need to shift those that are not of that quality, unfortunately Patto and O'Nien are those that need shifting.

I'm not saying they we're not great for us and commited, but, iny opinion, not premier league quality.