Sunderland are one of several Championship clubs that did plenty of business during the January transfer window.
The Black Cats were already flying high in the Championship table but manager Regis Le Bris wanted to improve their chances of promotion with a few key additions.
Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman also had his work cut out to keep hold of the Wearside club’s top talents, such as Tommy Watson and Trai Hume.
Plus, shedding some of the deadwood in the squad and ensuring younger players gain valuable experience out on loan was just as important.
So, here is a list of every transfer Sunderland completed in the January window.
Sunderland signings in January transfer window
Transfers in
- Wilson Isidor – Zenit St. Petersburg – £5m
The Black Cats only made one permanent signing in the January transfer window. The club had an option to turn Wilson Isidor’s loan deal into a permanent one.
They decided not to wait until the end of the season because Isidor has already impressed plenty and it also opened up another loan spot before the deadline.
Loans in
- Enzo Le Fee – Roma
- Jayden Danns – Liverpool
The biggest deal of the window for Sunderland — and perhaps the most high-profile Championship signing ever — was the arrival of Enzo Le Fee on loan from AS Roma.
Sunderland can purchase Le Fee at the end of the season, and depending on whether they get promoted or not, it could become an obligation.
The Black Cats also added Liverpool’s Jayden Danns to their ranks on deadline day but he’s currently injured.
Sunderland exits in January transfer window
Transfers Out
- Aaron Connolly – Millwall – Free
Sunderland confirmed Aaron Connolly had joined Millwall on a free transfer early in the window. The striker joined Sunderland last summer on a short-term deal and struggled to make the desired impact at the Stadium of Light.
Loans out
- Abdoullah Ba – Dunkerque
- Adil Aouchiche – Portsmouth
- Ben Crompton – Tamworth
- Nathan Bishop – Cambridge United
- Nazariy Rusyn – Hajduk Split
- Zak Johnson – Notts County
Youngster Zak Johnson moved to Notts County on loan until the end of the season, where he is expected to continue his impressive development.
To many Sunderland fans’ dislike, Adil Aouchiche joined fellow Championship club Portsmouth on loan. The Frenchman was never going to play regularly under Le Bris after Le Fee’s arrival.
It didn’t pan out for Nazariy Rusyn on Wearside so it was always likely that he would leave this Winter. He departed for Croatian club Hajduk Split – coached by AC Milan legend Gennaro Gattuso.