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Top 5 Record Signings in Sunderland History

Despite operating on a limited budget, Sunderland have not shied away from spending big in the transfer market. Over the years, the Black Cats have signed several high-profile players—some of whom have made a major impact, while others failed to live up to expectations.

Now back in the Premier League, Sunderland have once again shown their ambition by breaking their transfer record in the current summer window. With that in mind, let's take a look at the club’s top five most expensive signings of all time.

Sunderland’s record top five signings in history

5. Jeremain Lens – £12.5m from Dynamo Kiev

Jeremain Lens - Top 5 Record Signings in Sunderland History
Jeremain Lens (Credits - Sky Sports)

Jeremain Lens is often regarded as one of Sunderland’s most disappointing big-money signings. Although he was the least expensive on the club’s list of high-cost acquisitions, his £12.5 million price tag still represented a significant investment. Lens managed just 24 appearances and four goals during his time at the Stadium of Light.

While his technical ability and flair were evident on occasion, he struggled to perform consistently and failed to meet expectations. Ultimately, Sunderland were eager to offload him, cutting their losses as his impact on the team remained minimal.

4. Asamoah Gyan – £13m from Rennes

Asamoah Gyan - Top 5 Record Signings in Sunderland History
Asamoah Gyan (Credits - Goal.com)

The next player on the list is Asamoah Gyan, a forward from Ghana. Gyan joined Sunderland from Stade Rennais in 2010. However, in a surprising move the following summer, he opted to continue his career in the United Arab Emirates.

He joined Al-Ain on a season-long loan before making the move permanent in the summer of 2012. Although he made only 37 appearances for Sunderland in all competitions, the club managed to recover a portion of the £13 million they had spent on his transfer through the loan and eventual sale.

3. Didier Ndong – £13.6m from Lorient

Didier Ndong - Top 5 Record Signings in Sunderland History
Didier Ndong (Credits - Sky Sports)

Didier Ndong must surely rank among the worst acquisitions in Sunderland’s history—if not the worst. Signed from Lorient in 2016 for a club-record fee of £13.6 million, expectations were high. However, despite making 51 appearances for the Black Cats, Ndong proved to be a major disappointment. 

His time at the club coincided with a disastrous period that saw Sunderland suffer back-to-back relegations, plunging from the Premier League to League One. Just two years after his arrival, the club was forced to terminate his contract, bringing a costly and ill-fated chapter to an end.

2. Enzo Lee Fee – £20m from AS Roma

Enzo le Fee - Top 5 Record Signings in Sunderland History
 Enzo Lee Fee (Credits - BBC)

In a deal believed to be a club-record transfer, Sunderland secured the signing of Enzo Le Fée from AS Roma following a standout loan spell. The 25-year-old midfielder joined the Black Cats on a six-month loan in January and quickly became instrumental in their push for promotion, playing a key role in their fourth-place finish and subsequent triumph in the EFL Championship playoffs.

A promotion-triggered clause in his loan agreement activated a permanent transfer, leading Le Fée to sign a four-year contract at the Stadium of Light. The deal is reportedly worth £20 million, marking a significant investment as Sunderland prepares for life back in the Premier League.

1. Habib Diarra – £30m from Strasbourg

Habib Diarra - Top 5 Record Signings in Sunderland History
Habib Diarra (Credits - Transfermarkt)

Habib Diarra is set to become the most expensive signing in Sunderland’s history, reportedly joining the club from Strasbourg for a record-breaking £30 million. The dynamic midfielder impressed during a standout Ligue 1 campaign, scoring seven goals across 2,969 minutes of action.

Following a medical in Paris over the weekend, Diarra has agreed to a five-year deal with Sunderland. He arrives as a high-profile replacement for Jobe Bellingham, who recently departed the club, and will carry the weight of expectations as the Black Cats’ record signing.

Cover Credits - Sky Sports

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