Pierre Ekwah, a midfielder for Sunderland, has moved from Wearside to France. The 22-year-old has signed a season-long loan with Ligue 1 team Saint-Étienne, with the option to buy for an estimated £6 million. If the loan goes through on a player who signed for an undisclosed but nominal fee in January 2023, Sunderland will make a healthy profit; however, a portion of any fee will be owed to his former club, West Ham United.
The official Sunderland website, safc.com, verified the agreement.
Done Deal: Sunderland Midfielder Pierre Ekwah Joins Saint-Étienne
Due to injuries and the presence of new summer addition Alan Browne along with Chris Rigg, Jobe Bellingham, and Dan Neil in addition to Ekwah, who made 40 appearances for the Black Cats the previous season, Ekwah has dropped down the hierarchy under new head coach Regis Le Bris.
The Sunderland Echo reports that a number of English and international teams, including Premier League teams Crystal Palace, Fulham, and Leicester, as well as Udinese, have expressed interest in Ekwah. The race to sign the midfield player, nevertheless, has gone to Saint Étienne.
Sporting Director Reacts to Pierre Ekwah’s Departure
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“Since joining Sunderland, Pierre has grown from an Under-21 player to a Championship midfielder, and we are proud of the part we have played in his development,” stated Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman. This deal is a win-win situation for the Club and Pierre, who stated his willingness to seize the chance and test himself in Ligue 1. Our squad’s midfield is a fiercely competitive position. We hope all goes well for him and are eager to discuss his case again the following summer.
Reportedly, head coach Regis Le Bris will be reshaping his team on Wearside on this busy deadline day, with a number of players coming and exiting. Right now, Sunderland is leading the Championship.
