Experienced international joins the Black Cats
Sunderland have announced the signing of Belgian defender Thomas Meunier on a two-year contract following his departure from French side Lille. The 34-year-old becomes the club's first signing of the summer transfer window.
Meunier brings a wealth of experience, having made over 550 senior club appearances across spells with Club Brugge, Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, and Trabzonspor. He won three Ligue 1 titles during his time at PSG and has earned 83 caps for Belgium, featuring prominently at the 2026 World Cup.
Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi on the signing
We are delighted to welcome Thomas to Sunderland. From the moment we started speaking, we felt he had a very positive feeling about the club. Throughout his career he has consistently performed at the highest level, representing some of Europe's biggest clubs, and Belgium on the international stage. He brings a wealth of experience, leadership and professionalism, alongside real quality in both defensive and attacking phases of the game. Thomas is a player who understands what it takes to compete for success, and we're confident his mentality and character will have a positive influence on the squad.
Meunier excited for new challenge
Meunier, who will link up with his new teammates in early August, is relishing the opportunity to compete in the Premier League and in European competition for the first time in 53 years for Sunderland.
I'm very happy to be here and to begin this new chapter in my career. The Premier League is one of the most competitive and exciting leagues in the world, and it's a challenge I've wanted to experience. When I spoke with the club, I was impressed by the ambition, the project and the desire to keep moving forward. Competing in Europe was also a big factor in my decision because, as a player, you always want to test yourself against the best teams and compete for trophies. I hope I can bring my experience to the squad, both on and off the pitch.
Factfile: Thomas Meunier
Age: 34
Position: Defender
International Caps (Belgium): 83
Senior Club Appearances: 550+
Previous Clubs: Club Brugge, Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, Trabzonspor, Lille
Honours: 3x Ligue 1, 2x Coupe de France, 1x Coupe de la Ligue
Meunier's arrival comes after the departures of forward Eliezer Mayenda and midfielder Dan Neil, and he is expected to add much-needed experience to a Sunderland side preparing for a demanding campaign both domestically and in Europe.