Sunderland burst to life on deadline day, and much to the surprise of fans.
After what was a relative quite summer transfer window up until the final day, Sunderland fans weren’t expecting a whole lot on deadline day.
It certainly looked as though the Black Cats would try and bring in what they could, but nobody expected them to complete four deals for four new players.
In the end, Chris Mepham joined on loan from Bournemouth following the injury to Aji Alese, with midfielders Milan Aleksic and Salis Abdul Samed joining, along with striker Ahmed Abdullahi.
Kristjaan Speakman ends the summer transfer window with nine new signings at the Stadium of Light.
And right now, he and owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus are watching new manager Regis Le Bris work wonders with the side.
Sunderland sit in 1st place of the Championship table having won all four of their opening league fixtures, conceding just once in the process.
Fans are excited for the season ahead, and excited to see their new signings in action.
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Regis Le Bris discusses Ahmed Abdullahi situation at Sunderland
Sunderland signed two strikers during the summer; Abdullahi and Wilson Isidor.
Abdullahi joins Sunderland on a permanent deal from Belgian side Gent, having impressed with their youth sides in recent seasons.
Sunderland paid a reported fee of around £3million for the 20-year-old.
But Le Bris has suggested that it may be a while before Abdullahi is really given his chance to impress in the Championship.
Le Bris told The Northern Echo: “He’s a big boy, quick and strong.
“He’s a good finisher, he’s young, 20 – so like Eliezer (Mayenda) he will need time to develop for sure and to integrate all the elements we have in the team. But he’s a good signing.
“We know there is always pressure but of course, we understand they need time to develop and to make mistakes so that they can learn.
“This will be the case with Ahmed for sure.”
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The focus may be on one Sunderland new boy right now
Sunderland desperately needed new strikers this summer. But the recent resurgence of Eliezer Mayenda has helped to really quash the club’s longstanding striker woes.
He’s done nothing to suggest that he’ll lose his place in the XI for the next Championship fixture vs Plymouth Argyle later this month.
But Le Bris, and indeed the Sunderland fans, may have a lot of focus on Isidor.
He’s a bit more experienced than the likes of Mayenda and Abdullahi ad so he could be the man tasked with leading the line more often than not.
Still, Mayenda and of course Abdullahi are two very exciting strikers.
The fact that Sunderland paid as much as they did for Abdullahi suggests that they rate him very highly, and if nurtured right, he could become a star player for the Black Cats.