Sunderland has secured the signing of veteran Belgian defender Thomas Meunier on a two-year contract. The 34-year-old arrives at the Premier League club on a free transfer from Lille, bringing with him a wealth of experience, including 83 international caps for Belgium.
Meunier expressed his enthusiasm for the move, stating that he is honored to join the club and eager to start a new chapter in his career. The defender highlighted the competitiveness of the Premier League as a primary motivation for his decision, noting that "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." Additionally, the prospect of competing in the Europa League played a significant role in his choice, as he remains committed to competing for trophies against top-tier teams. He added that he was impressed by the club's ambition and their clear project for moving forward.
Sunderland's director of football, Florent Ghisolfi, praised the arrival of the former Paris Saint-Germain player, who previously secured three Ligue 1 titles between 2016 and 2020. Ghisolfi emphasized that Meunier brings essential leadership and professionalism to the squad. The director expressed confidence that the defender’s mentality and character will exert a positive influence on the team, noting that his contribution will be significant both on and off the pitch as the club looks toward the upcoming season.
"I'm very happy to be here and to begin this new chapter in my career.
