Sunderland midfielder Enzo Le Fee has extended his stay at the Stadium of Light until 2031.
Sunderland playmaker Enzo Le Fee has signed a new contract with the Black Cats to extend his stay at the Stadium of Light until the summer of 2031.
Amid the international break, Sunderland announced the news of Le Fee’s new long-term deal, much to the delight of the Black Cats faithful, Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi and the player himself.
Le Fee came to Wearside from Serie A giants Roma initially on loan in the January window of Regis Le Bris’ first season as Sunderland boss, and played a pivotal role in Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League, which subsequently saw the Black Cats buy the Frenchman for £20m.
Since the beginning of the Black Cats’ first season back among England’s footballing elite, Le Fee has continued to be the creator-in-chief of Le Bris’ side, and has made an outstanding start to the new season with three goal contributions in six outings, including two penalties for the equaliser at Brentford and the winning goal over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League.
As a result of his standout Sunderland career to date, the Stadium of Light hierarchy have extended the technically magnificent midfielder’s contract for the next five years, in a monumental contract coup for the Black Cats.
Sunderland's Enzo Le Fee scores their first goal from the penalty spot past AZ Alkmaar (REUTERS)Enzo Le Fee Reacts To New Sunderland Deal
The 26-year-old talent, who rose through the FC Lorient youth ranks under the guidance of Sunderland boss Le Bris, has become a firm fan-favourite on Wearside in his two-and-half-seasons at the Stadium of Light.
Le Fee has enjoyed some magical moments in the red-and-white stripes, and etched his name into Sunderland folklore forever for his corner assist to Dan Ballard for the defender’s infamous Championship play-off semi-final winner in the last second against Coventry City.
As a result of his superlative displays, there would have inevitably been some elite transfer suitors circling for the French international in the coming transfer windows, but thankfully this new deal assures his stay at Sunderland for another five seasons.
Understandably, Sunderland supporters were elated on social media following the news, as was the Black Cats star.
Following the announcement of his new deal, Le Fee told Sunderland's media: “I’m really happy to have signed a new contract with Sunderland.
“From the moment I arrived, I’ve felt the passion of the supporters and the ambition of everyone at the Club – I’ve loved my time here.
“We’ve achieved something special together over the past couple of seasons, but I believe this is just the beginning.
"I feel very settled here and I’m excited to continue developing, competing at the highest level and helping the Club move forward.
“I’m very proud to wear the Sunderland shirt and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together in the years ahead.”
Enzo Le Fee in action with Manchester City's Matheus Nunes (REUTERS)Sunderland Director Delighted With New Enzo Le Fee Deal
Not only was Le Fee himself delighted by the move, but so was Sunderland’s Director of Football Ghisolfi.
From a Sunderland perspective, the development of Le Fee’s new deal is an incredible business move and footballing decision.
Tying one of the club’s best and most important players down for their prime years is an excellent move, which also protects the club financially should a ‘big six’ side come in for the Frenchman in the near future.
Of the news, Ghisolfi explained: "Enzo is a very important player for us, but also an important person within our group.
"He has quality, intelligence, and personality, but what we value just as much is his humility and the way he represents Sunderland every day.
“I have a special relationship with Enzo, and I’m very happy and proud to see the journey he has made here.
"He arrived in the Championship, helped the Club return to the Premier League, experienced Europe with Sunderland, and there are still many chapters for us to write together.
“This new contract is about continuity and trust. We want to give time to this team and to this project, while staying true to who we are. We know where we come from, we stay humble, and we keep building step by step.
“Enzo understands that identity. He believes in what we are building, and we believe there is still more to come from him and from this team.”
Buoyed by his contract extension and his outstanding form at the start of the season, Le Fee is primed to enjoy his most successful season in a Sunderland shirt so far and continue to show why the Black Cats are overawed to possess a player of his creative calibre.
