Sunderland's spending continues with Talbi arrival from Club Brugge

Sunderland's summer spending continued after they announced the arrival of Club Brugge winger Chemsdine Talbi on Wednesday. 

Talbi, who has signed a five-year contract with the Premier League newcomers, arrives at the Stadium of Light for a reported £18m (€21m) transfer fee. 

The 20-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in Belgium in 2024-25, netting seven goals and providing five assists in 44 appearances in all competitions. 

Eleven of those appearances came in the Champions League, scoring twice in Club Brugge's 3-1 win over Atalanta, which sealed a 5-2 aggregate victory in the play-offs. 

Indeed, he became just the third player for the club to score a brace in the competition, and the first since Emmanuel Dennis' double against Real Madrid in October 2019.

In the process, he also became the youngest Belgian player to score twice in a match in the Champions League at 19 years and 285 days old.

"I'm really excited to be here and grateful for the opportunity to play for this club," Talbi told Sunderland's official website.

"I made the decision because it's a great project with a talented, exciting team full of young players – and that really motivated me.

"The Premier League is the biggest and best league in the world, so I'm looking forward to getting started.

"I know the fans will get behind me from the start, and I can't wait to see them at the stadium."

Talbi is Sunderland's fifth signing ahead of their first season in the top flight since 2016-17. 

The Black Cats have welcomed the club-record arrival of Habib Diarra, along with Reinildo Mandava, Noah Sadiki, and the permanent transfer of midfielder Enzo Le Fee. 

Sunderland have also reportedly agreed a deal for Brighton's Simon Adingra, with a fee believed to be in the region of £18m plus £2.5m in add-ons. 

Regis Le Bris' team will kickstart their Premier League season at home to West Ham on August 16.