Wilson Isidor and Jobe Bellingham. (REUTERS)
Sunderland are back in the Premier League for the first time in eight years, having secured promotion via the Championship play-offs in dramatic fashion.
At Wembley Stadium, the Black Cats pulled off a stunning comeback to defeat heavy favorites Sheffield United. The decisive moment came in the 95th minute when 18-year-old forward Tommy Watson—who has since joined Brighton & Hove Albion—curled home a sensational winner, ending his Sunderland career in unforgettable style.
While the promotion was a moment of pure joy for fans, attention has already shifted to the transfer market, where manager Regis Le Bris will be eager to strengthen his squad ahead of what promises to be a challenging 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
There’s already reason for optimism. The club has completed the permanent signing of midfielder Enzo Le Fée, who joined initially on loan from AS Roma and played a vital role in Sunderland’s promotion with his dynamic performances in the heart of midfield.
Promotion triggered a clause in his loan agreement obligating Sunderland to buy Le Fée for £19 million—a fee unlikely to cause much unrest among supporters given his influence throughout the season.
Speaking after finalizing a four-year deal with the club, Le Fée said: “From the moment I arrived, I’ve enjoyed my football, my teammates, and our supporters. We shared an incredible experience, and now we get to take the next step. There are greater challenges ahead, but we must face them together—and I can’t wait to play for Sunderland in the Premier League.”
Bellingham Set to Join Dortmund
While Sunderland have secured one of their key players for next season, they appear set to lose another: rising star Jobe Bellingham.
The midfielder was instrumental in the club’s promotion push. Although he tallied just four goals and three assists, his tireless, box-to-box presence was central to the team’s identity, earning praise from Le Bris for his “powerful” performances throughout the campaign.
Now, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Bellingham has agreed to join Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund—following in the footsteps of his older brother Jude, who played for the club from 2020 to 2023 before sealing a high-profile move to Real Madrid.
“The agreement between Jobe Bellingham and Borussia Dortmund is done on a five-year contract,” Romano reported on X, adding that the German side “are expected to proceed and get the deal done with Sunderland in the upcoming days.”
Dortmund are reportedly keen to finalize the transfer before the start of the FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off on June 14 and runs through July 13.
If the deal is completed in time, football fans could be treated to the rare spectacle of the Bellingham brothers facing off on the world stage—with Dortmund and Real Madrid on the same side of the draw, a potential Round of 16 clash looms.
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