---
title: "Sunderland: Black Cats set to win Jan Paul van Hecke transfer race"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-jan-paul-van-hecke-corry-evans-transfer-gossip-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Clubbe"
section: "Championship News"
published: "2022-08-21T11:05:05Z"
modified: "2022-08-21T11:05:05Z"
---

# Sunderland: Black Cats set to win Jan Paul van Hecke transfer race

**[Sunderland](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-afc-news/) are reportedly set to win the battle to sign Brighton & Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke, according to the [Lancashire Telegraph](https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/20679578.blackburn-rovers-miss-jan-paul-van-hecke-championship-rivals/).**

### The lowdown: Career so far

Signed from Dutch outfit NAC Breda, the Netherlands youth international has spent time [on loan](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jan-paul-van-hecke/transfers/spieler/576314) at Heerenveen and Blackburn Rovers since arriving in England.

The 22-year-old is [yet to make a debut](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jan-paul-van-hecke/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/576314) for his parent club, but has had 78 senior outings during his career to date.

Despite interest from Blackburn in a second loan spell at Ewood Park, it appears as though Van Hecke could be heading for the Stadium of Light…

### The latest: Season-long loan

As per the [Lancashire Telegraph](https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/20679578.blackburn-rovers-miss-jan-paul-van-hecke-championship-rivals/), Sunderland are expected to ‘secure’ the former Netherlands under-21 starlet on loan for the remainder of the season.

It’s claimed that Van Hecke will sign a new deal at Brighton before completing a switch to the Black Cats prior to the end of the transfer window.

The report also states that the youngster – who was described as an [‘intelligent’](https://www.sussexlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brighton-potter-van-hecke-blackburn-7436354) operator by Seagulls boss Graham Potter – is now ‘likely’ to join Sunderland instead of returning to Blackburn.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”398290″\]

### The verdict: Smart signing

Despite Sunderland making a steady start to the 2022/23 Championship campaign, there remains room for further reinforcements in Alex Neil’s squad, particularly at the back having [failed to keep a clean sheet](https://www.skysports.com/sunderland-results) before Saturday’s win over Stoke City and following Corry Evans’ [injury blow](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-afc-news/stoke-team-news-evans-injury-championship/).

Van Hecke was [on the bench](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jan-paul-van-hecke/leistungsdaten/spieler/576314) in the Premier League for Brighton’s opening two games of the season, highlighting how highly the Dutchman is regarded by Potter.

Last season, the [6 foot 3](https://www.fotmob.com/players/974618/jan-paul-van-hecke) defender earned an impressive 7.00 [SofaScore](https://www.sofascore.com/player/jan-paul-van-hecke/962012) rating whilst winning 5.8 duels and making 3.4 clearances and 1.5 interceptions per game, helping to keep 11 clean sheets in 31 outings. For context, only Danny Batth had a [higher clearances average](https://www.sofascore.com/team/football/sunderland/41) among Sunderland’s squad in 2021/22, while [no Black Cats player](https://www.sofascore.com/team/football/sunderland/41) had a better interceptions average.

Combined with a need for defensive stability, that form would make the commanding Van Hecke a superb addition to Neil’s ranks, and hopefully this is a deal which can become a reality.