Sunderland have signed full-back, Dayann Methalie from Toulouse in a transfer totalling £25.6m.
Methalie’s move to Wearside comes after a successful breakthrough 2025-26 season saw him score twice in 31 appearances in his maiden campaign at first-team level.
Sunderland have paid an initial £23.9m fee for the 20-year-old full-back, albeit with a further £1.7m in add-ons to take the total fee up to £25.6m if all conditions of the add-on clauses are met.
Methalie has signed a long-term contract and will wear the number six shirt this season, but is keen to get stuck into the first-team action following Sunderland’s qualification for this season’s UEFA Europa League.
“I’m really excited to be here and can’t wait to pull on a Sunderland shirt for the first time.
“This is a brilliant time to join the Club. I followed Sunderland’s progress last season and it was incredible to see the team finish seventh and qualify for the Europa League.
“When I heard about the opportunity to come here, it was an easy decision. I’m really excited to play in the Premier League and Europa League and to experience that with the Sunderland fans.
“I know how ambitious the Club is, and I want to help the team continue to progress and give the supporters plenty to be proud of.”
Sunderland’s Director of Football, Florent Ghisolfi added: “He is a player we have appreciated and followed for a long time, and we believe his qualities are very well suited to Sunderland, both in terms of our footballing identity and the personality we want within the group.
“Despite his young age, Dayann has already shown a lot of quality and potential, and his performances over the past year have naturally attracted interest from several clubs. Throughout the process, however, he showed a very strong feeling and desire to join Sunderland, which was important to us.
“He is still at an important stage of his development, so our responsibility now is to help him settle quickly, provide the best possible environment around him and allow him to continue progressing and expressing his qualities.”
Methalie represents France at youth international level, across which he graduated through the Under 19s and 20s ranks and now plays for Les Bleus’ Under-21s.