Sunderland repeat Robin Roefs transfer with France international signing close

ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - APRIL 19: Noe Lebreton of NEC Nijmegen is thanking the fans for their support after losing the cup during the Dutch Eurojackpot KNVB Beker Final match between AZ Alkmaar and NEC Nijmegen at Stadion Feijenoord on April 19, 2026 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Hans van der Valk/BSR Agency/Getty Images) — NEC Nijmegen attacking midfielder Noe Lebreton (Image credit: Getty Images)

Sunderland embark on their first European campaign in 2026/27 on the back of last season's impressive seventh place Premier League finish.

Head coach Regis Le Bris will need to reinforce his Black Cats squad ahead of their involvement in the Europa League, balancing domestic and continental commitments.

FourFourTwo understands that a move for a France Under-21 midfielder is in the works and could be completed soon.

Sunderland close to transfer of French youngster

NIJMEGEN, NETHERLANDS - MAY 17: Noe Lebreton of NEC Nijmegen and Brayann Pereira of NEC Nijmegen cheering during a Dutch Eredivisie at Goffertstadion on May 17, 2026 in Nijmegen, Netherlands. (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/BSR Agency/Getty Images) — Noe Lebreton (L) celebrates scoring (Image credit: Getty Images)

NEC Nijmegen attacking midfielder Noe Lebreton is the player in question who could soon join from the Dutch club.

Sunderland already have 10 French-speaking first-team squad members at the Stadium of Light, which may have played a part in the decision to pursue Lebreton. This may also have been one of Sunderland's key selling points when pitching to the France U21 international.

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Last summer, the Black Cats signed Dutch goalkeeper Robin Roefs from NEC Nijmegen.

Roefs, 23, enjoyed an impressive first campaign in English football. Now it appears the club are returning to the well.

Twenty-two-year-old Lebreton joined NEC last summer from SM Caen in France's second tier, scoring seven and assisting a further six in 27 appearances for the Eredivisie side.

NEC finished third in the league table last season, earning 59 points whilst booking a first-ever appearance in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round for 2026/27.

Their campaign was punctuated by high-profile victories against Eredivisie heavyweights, getting the better of Feyenoord at De Kuip. The club also reached the KNVB Cup final having beaten PSV Eindhoven in the semi-final - a game in which Lebreton assisted the winner.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 24: A Sunderland scarf with the face of Regis Le Bris the head coach / manager of Sunderland reading &amp;apos;Mackems&amp;apos; during the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final match between Sheffield United and Sunderland at Wembley Stadium on May 24, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) — Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris on a supporter's scarf (Image credit: Getty Images)

Sunderland were applauded for their aggressive recruitment strategy last summer, bringing in the likes of Netherlands international Brian Brobbey from Ajax and Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen.

The club are evidently keen to build on the momentum of last season by signing in-form, up-and-coming players from Europe once again, in a bid to replicate their 2025/26 display.

The Black Cats begin the season away to newly-promoted Ipswich Town on August 22.

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Joe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe's 'Mastermind' specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James' Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have 'hit top bins' as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn't a shin-roller.