Sunderland have confirmed the arrival of Eliezer Mayenda.
The Black Cats welcomed the 18-year-old to Wearside this afternoon, with the striker joining on a five-year deal from Ligue 2 side Sochaux.
Mayenda featured 15 times for Sochaux’s first team last season and played a further five games for their B team – scoring four times in total.
The Spain youth international is very highly rated in France and made history when making his debut in 2021, becoming the club’s youngest ever player at 16 years and seven months old.
Speaking on his arrival in Sunderland, Mayenda said: “I am very happy to be here because that is what I wanted. It is a historic Club in England and it’s a Club that I already knew about so I was very excited to come here. I really wanted to take up the new challenge.”
Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman labelled the teenager as ‘exciting, quick and direct’ as he completed the move at the Academy of Light.
Financial details of Eliezer Mayenda’s move to Sunderland emerge
Prior to Eliezer Mayenda’s arrival in England, The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath reported that Sunderland are paying a fee of €1.2 million (£1m) for the young forward, with Sochaux including a 25 per cent sell-on clause in the deal.
Mayenda is the Black Cats’ second signing in the striker position after they snapped up Luis Hemir Semedo from Benfica’s B team, meaning Tony Mowbray now has two forwards to choose from until Ross Stewart returns to full fitness.
While it is unclear whether either teenager will start in Sunderland’s opening day clash with Ipswich Town, they will both have plenty of time to prove themselves if Stewart remains sidelined until late September.
However, it remains unclear whether the Wearside club will be forced to add a further striker to their ranks if Stewart is sold this summer.