Sunderland are back in the Premier League for the first time since 2017 and have been splashing the cash under owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.
The Black Cats have Regis Le Bris to thank for taking them out of the Championship and back into the top flight, with their transfer record being broken on numerous occasions in 2025 as a result.
England legend said Sunderland star was the best he'd seen and as good as Owen and Figo
The Black Cats would love to have him back in their current squad…
ByBen GoodwinJun 4, 2025
But who tops the charts as Sunderland’s most expensive addition of all time?
Rank
Player
Fee
Signed from
Year
Habib Diarra
£27m
Strasbourg
2025
Simon Adingra
£21m
Brighton
2025
Enzo Le Fee
£19.3m
AS Roma
2025
Chemsdine Talbi
£18m
Club Brugge
2025
Brian Brobbey
£17.3m
Ajax
2025
Noah Sadiki
£15m
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise
2025
Didier Ndong
£13.6m
Lorient
2016
Granit Xhaka
£13m
Bayer Leverkusen
2025
Asamoah Gyan
£13m
Rennes
2010
Steven Fletcher
£12m
Wolves
2012
Omar Alderete
£10.4m
Getafe
2025
Jack Rodwell
£10m
Man City
2014
Darren Bent
£10m
Tottenham
2009
Nordi Mukiele
£9.5m
PSG
2025
Wahbi Khazri
£9m
Bordeaux
2016
Craig Gordon
£9m
Hearts
2007
Ricardo Alvarez
£9m
Inter Milan
2015
Robin Roefs
£9m
NEC Nijmegen
2025
Jozy Altidore
£9m
AZ Alkmaar
2013
Jeremain Lens
£8m
Dynamo Kiev
2015
Detailed look at Sunderland’s 10 most expensive signings… 10 Steven Fletcher £12m from Wolves
Experienced striker Steven Fletcher arrived at Sunderland in 2012 after taking his first steps in English football with Burnley and Wolves.
The Scottish forward was 25 at the time of his move and would go on to spend four years at the Stadium of Light. His final months on the books with the Black Cats saw him on loan at French side Marseille.
9 Asamoah Gyan £13m from Rennes
After starring for Ghana at the 2010 World Cup, Sunderland made Asamoah Gyan their record signing on deadline day ahead of the 2010/11 season.
The Black Cats signed Gyan to replace Kenwyne Jones, and he would go on to score 11 goals in 37 appearances, leaving a year later.
8 Granit Xhaka £13m from Bayer Leverkusen
Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka returned to England with a move to Sunderland in 2025 from Bayer Leverkusen.
The Switzerland international helped Leverkusen win the Bundesliga in 2024 and cost the Black Cats an initial £13m which could rise with add-ons.
7 Didier Ndong £13.6m from Lorient
Sunderland’s record signing for nearly nine years was midfielder Didier Ndong, who cost the Black Cats just under £14m in August 2016.
The Gabon international struggled in England and was a part of the Sunderland side that were relegated in 2017, and he would then join Watford on loan in January 2018 as the Black Cats suffered back-to-back relegations.
Ndong was under contract until 2021 but his deal was terminated in 2018 after he failed to return to the club.
6 Noah Sadiki £15m from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise
One of a number of big-money signings in 2025 was midfielder Noah Sadiki, who cost £15m from Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
Sadiki was also wanted by fellow promoted side Leeds United but opted to choose Sunderland instead.
5 Brian Brobbey £17.3m from Ajax
Sunderland’s 2025 spending spree continued right up until the final hours, with Brian Brobbey arriving from Ajax.
The Black Cats acted quickly after Chelsea recalled Marc Guiu and spent more than £17m on the Dutch attacker.
4 Chemsdine Talbi £18m from Club Brugge
Promising winger Chemsdine Talbi also arrived at the Stadium of Light following Sunderland’s Premier League return.
The Moroccan international impressed for Club Brugge and signed a five-year deal.
3 Enzo Le Fee £19.3m from AS Roma
After helping Sunderland win promotion to the Premier League, Enzo Le Fee’s move to the Stadium of Light became permanent.
The obligation to buy the attacking midfielder from Roma set the Black Cats back just under £20m, with Le Fee signing a four-year deal.
2 Simon Adingra £21m from Brighton
After shining for Brighton & Hove Albion since 2023, winger Simon Adingra was yet another player who Sunderland splashed the cash on after returning to the top flight.
An Ivory Coast international, Adingra signed a five-year contract and there are also potential add-ons to increase an initial £21m fee.
1 Habib Diarra £27m from Strasbourg
Standing at the top of the charts as Sunderland’s record signing is central midfielder Habib Diarra.
The Senegal international captained at starred for Ligue 1 side Strasbourg at the age of 21, which resulted in the Black Cats pipping Leeds to a huge £27m transfer.
