Rating all Sunderland signings made across 24/25 season, including 9/10 duo and ‘disastrous’ 3/10

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Sunderland secured promotion to the Premier League despite some concerning recruitment in the 24/25 season.

Regis Le Bris masterminded Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League despite their limited financial outlay on recruitment this season.

The Black Cats finished fourth in the Championship table, and beat Coventry City over two legs in the play-off semi-finals before defeating Sheffield United in the Wembley final.

The source of Sunderland’s success this season was their academy products. Homegrown talents akin to Dan Neil, Brighton-bound Tommy Watson, and Anthony Patterson were aided by a small number of excellent additions to the squad.

However, several recruits across the campaign failed to fully justify their arrivals at Sunderland.

With that in mind, EFL Analysis has rated the performances of all signings made by the Black Cats, who featured in the 24/25 season.

• READ MORE: Sunderland interested in £2.5m transfer for former Championship star Carlos Corberan labelled ‘excellent’

Rating all Sunderland signings made across the 2024/25 season

Simon Moore – 6/10

Simon Moore was Sunderland’s first signing of last summer, penning a two-year deal at the Black Cats from Coventry.

Moore is an EFL veteran, having played for a host of second tier outfits in his 16-year career, and that extensive experience has been a major benefit to Sunderland this term.

When deputising for first-choice goalkeeper Patterson, Moore proved himself a perfectly capable back-up by keeping three clean sheets from his four Championship starts this season, and having a positive influence among the Sunderland squad as the group’s elder statesman.

Chris Mepham (loan) – 8.5/10

Sunderland secured Chris Mepham on loan from Bournemouth for the 24/25 season, which proved to be one of the best second tier signings of the summer.

Central defender Mepham was imperative to Sunderland’s promotion push, featuring 40 times in the Championship for the Black Cats, coming on as a substitute in the play-off final after Luke O’Nien suffered a cruel injury after just one minute.

27-year-old Mepham’s 48-game Premier League experience gained at Bournemouth was evident for Sunderland, with his innate leadership and organisation, combined with his defensive abilities, proving to be the perfect addition.

Sunderland’s chances of signing Mepham permanently remain uncertain, with Chris Wilder also keen to bring him in, but after his impressive campaign, the Wearside faithful will be hoping the Welsh international returns for next season.

Salis Abdul Samed (loan) – 5/10

Salis Abdul Samed arrived on loan from French top flight side RC Lens last summer with lofty expectations that he left unfulfilled.

The holding midfielder’s campaign was limited to just three starts and ten total appearances, due to persistent injuries which limited his availability to Le Bris severely.

Having impressed against the likes of PSG in Ligue 1 and having Champions League experience, Samed’s arrival was initially seen as a major coup.

However, he has spent more time on the Sunderland sidelines than on the Stadium of Light pitch this season, and can be considered no less than a flop as a result.

If Sunderland lose Dan Neil to Roma, Samed could be a potential replacement in defensive midfield, depending on whether Le Bris and the club have enough faith in the 25-year-old’s fitness.

Alan Browne – 6/10

Championship veteran Alan Browne arrived on a free transfer from Preston North End after featuring over 400 times for the Deepdale outfit and being named their Player of the 23/24 season.

Browne’s experience and versatility have been a welcome addition on Wearside, but injuries have hampered his game time under Le Bris, limiting him to just 23 Championship appearances this season.

A player of Browne’s ilk is the perfect accompaniment to the youthful exuberance of this Black Cats squad, but the 30-year-old could find Premier League minutes hard to come by next term.

Milan Aleksic – 5.5/10

Serbian starlet Milan Aleksic joined from FK Radnicki 1923 in August, for a reported £3m fee, and was dubbed as an “incredibly talented young player” by Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman.

Aleksic’s debut season has been symptomatic of the move from his native country to Wearside.

Adapting to a new city, language, and team has seen Aleksic exhibit flashes of promise, but the attacking midfielder has ultimately failed to force his way into Le Bris’ selection thoughts.

His creativity and potential were seen in his FA Cup goal against Stoke City, but after acclimatising to life at Sunderland, a loan move away from the pressures of the Premier League next term could be the next best step for the 19-year-old’s development.

Ian Poveda – 3/10

Former Leeds United winger Ian Poveda arrived on a free transfer last summer, and has proven himself to be the worst signing Sunderland have made this season.

Poveda could be one Sunderland player who may have played their final game for the club after his disastrous stint on Wearside.

Persistent injury issues and one disciplinary matter have seen his game time limited to a total of zero starts in a red and white shirt this season.

In Poveda’s 81 minutes of action, he appeared lost, uninterested, and not on the same wavelength as his teammates. It would surprise all Black Cats fans to see him remain at the club beyond the summer.

• READ MORE: Four targets Sunderland could sign as club ‘prioritising’ two key positions in summer transfer window

Enzo Le Fee (loan, now permanent) – 9/10

In a move dubbed the Championship’s best signing ever by many fans, inventive midfielder Enzo Le Fee joined Sunderland on loan from Roma in January to link up with his former Lorient head coach.

Le Fee’s technical prowess was palpable, with the Frenchman giving Boro right-back Luke Ayling a torrid evening, as Sunderland won 3-2 away at their regional rivals.

Injuries to Le Fee, as well as left-wingers Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson, saw Le Bris forced to use him often on the wings in an unfavoured position.

Despite this, Le Fee was imperative to the Black Cats’ promotion, which saw him become Sunderland’s first signing of the summer due to the £19m obligation to buy clause, much to the delight of the Wearside faithful.

Having rivalled the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi in Ligue 1, his technical talents will be crucial for Sunderland in the Premier League, as they have been during the play-off campaign.

In which Le Fee provided an assist in both semi-final legs against Coventry to help send Sunderland to Wembley, with the latter setting up Dan Ballard’s dramatic headed goal in the second leg.

Aaron Connolly – 5/10

Former Brighton forward Aaron Connolly joined Sunderland as a free agent in September following his impressive loan spell at Hull City in 23/24.

Connolly won the hearts of supporters for speaking out bravely over his personal issues, but failed to rediscover his best footballing form in red and white.

The Republic of Ireland international scored just once in ten Championship appearances for Sunderland, before the club cut ties on a lacklustre transfer that saw Connolly depart for Millwall.

Wilson Isidor – 9/10

Le Fee may have been the stardust needed to see Sunderland over the line, but without Wilson Isidor, the play-off places could’ve been out of the Black Cats’ reach.

Following his summer arrival on an initial loan from Russian Premier League side Zenit St Petersburg, Isidor has endeared himself to the Sunderland faithful and scored 12 second tier goals in the process.

Isidor’s form in front of goal cemented him as one of the Championship’s most prolific strikers, before he suffered a concerning goal drought ahead of the play-offs.

However, the dynamic Frenchman ended this with a stunning opener in the first leg at Coventry, showcasing his pace and finishing prowess that Sunderland fans have come to adore this season.

In February, Isidor’s loan was made permanent, after which he admitted: “I love playing for Sunderland.”.

His love for the fanbase has been reciprocated across his debut campaign, and the Frenchman’s goals will be imperative to help Sunderland survive in the Premier League.

Jayden Danns was signed on loan from Liverpool in January, and Ahmed Abdullahi arrived from KAA Gent last summer, but both failed to make a first-team appearance for Sunderland this season and therefore have been omitted from our ratings.