Thomas Meunier has officially joined Sunderland on a free transfer, the club confirmed. The Belgian international arrives at the Stadium of Light after his contract with Lille OSC expired. Financial details of the contract between the player and Sunderland have not yet been disclosed.
This move provides Sunderland with an experienced European competitor as they prepare for the Europa League next season. Meunier has featured in 42 European matches throughout his career, and will bring valuable know-how to a young Sunderland squad largely inexperienced at the continental level. He most recently played for Lille, where he featured sporadically during the 2022-23 Ligue 1 campaign.
Meunier began his professional career with Club Brugge before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2016. During his time in Paris, he won multiple Ligue 1 titles and established himself as a regular in the Champions League. He later joined Borussia Dortmund in 2020, before a short spell with Lille. The right-back has also been a consistent presence in the Belgian national team, earning over 40 caps.
Sunderland, managed by Régis Le Bris, are building a squad capable of competing in both the Premier League and European competitions. The addition of Meunier addresses a need for experience within the team, and the club are also reportedly pursuing Alexis Boulanger to further strengthen their defensive options. This transfer signals Sunderland’s ambition to solidify their position in the Premier League and make a mark on the European stage.
