Sunderland sign Ajax’s Brobbey & seal Geertruida loan

Sunderland have signed RB Leipzig defender Lutsharel Geertruida on a season-long loan and signed Ajax striker Brian Brobbey on a five-year deal.

Brobbey, a two-time champion of the Eredivisie, stated that he is ready for the “next chapter” of his professional football career with Sunderland after speaking with them for more than a month.

The 23-year-old joins the Stadium of Light for a ‘£17.3 million plus add-ons’ worth ‘£4.3 million.

I spoke with Sunderland over a month ago, and I’ve already seen the stadium and the fans this campaign, Brobbey said.

The Premier League is the biggest stage in the world, so I have to say goodbye to Ajax because I was raised here and will miss everyone.

After Chelsea chose to recalled loanee Marc Guiu as Liam Delap’s cover, the newly promoted Premier League side wanted to sign a forward.

Given Delap’s injury and Nicolas Jackson’s departure to Bayern Munich, Sunderland confirmed Guiu, 19, had been called back as the Blues looked to ensure they had enough forwards.

Guiu signed for Chelsea from Barcelona for £5 million in 2024 and scored one goal in his only start for the Black Cats.

Brobbey has eight caps for the Netherlands and has contributed 56 goals and 24 assists to Ajax’s 163 games overall.

“I’ve always wanted to play in the Premier League, and I’m so excited about this opportunity. We are new to the league, so we must fight, and I want to play in that, Geertruida, 25, said.

Geertruida, who primarily plays right-back, made 35 appearances for Leipzig last year before being allowed to leave.

He joins Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete, Reinildo Mandava, and Arthur Masuaku among Sunderland’s 13 summer signings under Regis Le Bris.

Sunderland have already spent £141.5 million in the transfer window, which is a British record for a promoted club, compared to Nottingham Forest’s £142 million in the summer of 2022.