Sunderland have completed the loan signing of midfielder Enzo Le Fee from Roma.
The Athletic reported the Championship club were set to take the 24-year-old on loan for the remainder of the season with an obligation to sign him permanently if they achieve promotion.
Sources at Sunderland, not authorised to speak publicly, indicated the agreed fee should they make the step up to the Premier League is £16million (€19m) plus performance-related bonuses.
“I’m very happy to be here and I’m excited to meet the people,” Le Fee said. “There are some familiar faces with Wilson Isidor, Adil Aouchiche and Salis Abdul Samed. I also know the coach and I know how he wants to play, so I am sure this will also help me.
“Now, I just need to prove it on the pitch. I think that’s the most important thing and I’m very excited to play in front of the fans. This is a big club. For me, that is normal, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Le Fee joined Roma from Rennes in July in a €23million move but has gone on to make just 10 appearances and only six starts during the first half of the season.
He progressed through the academy at Lorient, where he played under Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris, before moving to Rennes in the summer of 2023.
“The opportunity to acquire a midfielder of this profile, who already understands how our coach works, is a unique combination we had to pursue,” said Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman. “Enzo is an outstanding talent and we believe he can elevate our level in the second half of the season.”
Sunderland are fourth in the Championship, two points behind Burnley in the second-tier’s promotion places.
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