Back in the summer transfer window of 2016, Sunderland broke their transfer record to bring midfielder Didier Ndong to the Stadium of Light.
The 24-year-old had impressed in a one-season spell at French side Lorient before making the £13.6 million move to the North East little over two years ago, as new manager David Moyes sought the improvements needed to try and keep the Black Cats in the Premier League.
And Ndong’s arrival unsurprisingly stimulated quite a positive reaction from several Sunderland fans on Twitter…
Unreal, we actually announced someone.
— Mike (@QMike_) August 31, 2016
of course its the most beautiful day… You signed for Sunderland
— Mark (@AStarBathrooms) August 31, 2016
that’s hot
— Josh (@KinglikeKone) August 31, 2016
get in who is he must be good with hair like that
— Karl duffy (@Karlduffy10) August 31, 2016
YES WELCOME LAD
— Jack (@jack3safc) August 31, 2016
HAWAYYYYYYYU
— Grace (@grace_marshallx) August 31, 2016
YESSSS
— j (@DJlLOBODJI) August 31, 2016
Yet given everything that has happened in the last few years, not least the fact that he was sacked by the club back in September for a breach of contract, it’s fair to say that the midfielder badly let down these Black Cats supporters both on and indeed off the pitch.
Ultimately, there was some optimism among Sunderland fans following the arrival of Ndong, what with the North East giants showing huge intent by breaking their transfer record ahead of the 2016/17 Premier League season.
And while the 24-year-old was arguably one of their better performers that season, it was on the whole an absolute disaster for Moyes’ side given they finished bottom of the division with just six wins from their 38 league matches, of which Ndong started 27.
And while the Gabon international began life in the Championship with the Black Cats, and actually laid on three assists in five games between September and October of last year, he secured a loan move to Premier League side Watford come the New Year in a bid to again play at the highest level.
That didn’t work out either for Ndong, given he failed to register a single appearance for the Hornets in the second half of last season, which left the 24-year-old facing a season in League One with Sunderland following their relegation from the second tier.
Yet the midfielder made clear that he wanted to leave the club come the summer, only for the Black Cats to sack him come September for a breach of contract, leaving Ndong without a club even to this day.
Thus, the positivity among Sunderland fans following his big-money arrival soon dissipated into disgust with the actions of the 24-year-old, with his red card in their 4-0 Championship defeat to Cardiff City back in January proving to be his last appearance for the club, and very much summing up his stint at the Stadium of Light.
As such, there is little doubting that Sunderland supporters expected more from their record signing – instead, he turned out to be a shocking signing from Moyes, and one that badly let the supporters down both on and off the field.
Sunderland fans… what do you think? Let us know!
