Sunderland sign Didier Ndong from Lorient for £13.6m
Sunderland have signed Gabon international midfielder Didier Ndong from Lorient for £13.6m.
The 22-year-old has signed a five-year deal at the Stadium of Light after 18 months at the French club.
The fee is the highest Sunderland have paid up front for a player.
“I am very proud and happy to sign for Sunderland,” Ndong told the club’s official website.
#SAFC have completed the signing of midfielder Didier Ndong from Lorient for 16m euros. #WelcomeDidier pic.twitter.com/S2ptfgv5cw
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 31, 2016
“This is a new adventure for me and to play in the Premier League is a dream come true.”
He added: “Maybe the Sunderland fans don’t know me yet, but I promise that they will quickly discover that I will give everything for them and the club. It will be an honour to wear the Sunderland shirt and I will wear it with a true understanding of what it means.
“I am excited to meet everyone at the club, to see the stadium and of course the fans, who I have heard so many good things about. Today is the most beautiful day of my life.”
Ndong started his career at Tunisian side CS Sfaxien, playing 40 games, before signing for Lorient in January 2015 and making 46 appearances for the Ligue 1 club.
He has 18 caps for Gabon after making his debut in 2012.
