2024 AFCON star Simon Adingra set to join Sunderland from Brighton
Ivory Coast star Simon Adingra, who played a key role in his country’s win over Nigeria in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations final, is close to joining Premier League newcomers Sunderland from Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal worth up to £20 million.
The 23-year-old winger has agreed personal terms with Sunderland and will have a medical in the coming days.
Sunderland will pay Brighton €21 million (around £18m) plus another €3 million in potential bonuses based on performance.
Adingra was almost part of a January deal when teenage winger Tommy Watson moved from Sunderland to Brighton for £10m. However, while Watson’s transfer went ahead, Adingra’s move was delayed — until now.
AFCON Hero
Adingra became a national hero in February when he provided both assists in Ivory Coast’s 2-1 win against Nigeria in the AFCON 2024 final held in Abidjan.
With the Elephants trailing 1–0, Adingra set up Franck Kessié’s equaliser with a perfect corner kick in the 62nd minute. Then, with nine minutes to go, he crossed for Sébastien Haller to score the winner.
The result gave Ivory Coast their third AFCON title, after victories in 1992 and 2015 — capping off a tournament in which they almost didn’t make it out of the group stage.
Career So Far
Adingra joined Brighton in 2023 from FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark for around £8 million. He was loaned out to Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, where he impressed with 15 goals and 14 assists in 51 games.
He later returned to Brighton and made 73 appearances, scoring 12 goals and assisting five. Although he played well under former manager Roberto De Zerbi, his playing time dropped last season — leading to interest from other clubs.
Sunderland’s Big Statement
Now back in the Premier League for the first time since 2017, Sunderland are making a strong statement with Adingra’s signing.
Quick, skilful, and comfortable on either wing, Adingra adds much-needed attacking power. His success at international level and experience in European football make him one of the most exciting signings in recent Sunderland history.
