Earlier than Sunderland’s Checkatrade Trophy ultimate in opposition to Portsmouth in 2019, Belgian defender Thomas Meunier, who on the time performed for , unexpectedly requested on Twitter if anybody had a streaming hyperlink for the sport.
Quick-forward seven years and he’s signed for Sunderland, who’re about to embark on a Europa League journey relatively than one within the Checkatrade Trophy. However what can he carry to the desk on the Stadium of Mild?
Home and European Expertise
Firstly, Thomas Meunier will carry an excessive amount of expertise to our squad. From humble beginnings working as a postman and in a automotive elements manufacturing unit on the age of 18, when his soccer profession regarded prefer it may not take off, he has now performed on the highest stage in Europe for round 15 years.
Commercial
After breaking via within the Belgian third tier with Royal Excelsior Virton, Meunier earned a transfer to Membership Brugge in 2011, the place he spent 5 seasons and made 198 appearances. Throughout that point, he received the Belgian Cup in 2015 (alongside ), in addition to the Belgian league the next season.
After enjoying at Euro 2016, Meunier moved to PSG on a four-year contract. Throughout these 4 years, he received the French league 3 times, the French Cup twice and the French League Cup twice. He registered a powerful 13 objectives and 22 assists from right-back and performed alongside greats akin to Kylian Mbappé and Neymar. He additionally began 5 matches throughout PSG’s run to the Champions League ultimate in 2020, which they finally misplaced.
Following his time at PSG, the defender signed for on a free switch and went on to make 83 appearances. In his first season, Dortmund received the German Cup and Meunier got here off the bench within the ultimate in opposition to an aspect that includes .
Between February and July 2024, Meunier performed for Trabzonspor in Turkey earlier than becoming a member of French aspect on a two-year contract. Throughout these two seasons, he made 81 appearances as Lille completed fifth after which third. He performed 9 Champions League matches throughout the 2024 – 25 season, together with a victory over , as Lille reached the spherical of 16. Final season, he additionally featured in eight Europa League matches.
Commercial
With 43 Champions League appearances and 33 Europa League appearances to his identify, he’ll show to be an astute addition in terms of managing the elevated workload that European soccer brings. He has additionally scored six European objectives and offered 11 assists in European competitors, so hopefully he can ship in key moments for Sunderland subsequent season.
On high of his membership expertise, Meunier has been capped 83 occasions by and scored 10 worldwide objectives throughout their ‘golden technology’. After making his debut in 2013, he appeared at three World Cups and two European Championships, scoring within the third-place play-off in opposition to England in 2018.
Commercial
Most just lately, he made three appearances on the 2026 World Cup, together with coming off the bench to assist kickstart Belgium’s round-of-16 comeback in opposition to by registering an help.
The place Will He Match Into Sunderland’s Workforce?
In addition to bringing huge home, continental and worldwide expertise, Thomas Meunier seems to be an astute signing who will add steadiness and high quality to Sunderland’s squad.
His profile seems to be very nicely suited to the Premier League, although he has by no means performed in England earlier than. Standing at 6ft 3in, Meunier will carry a bodily presence to Sunderland’s defence whereas nonetheless providing wonderful technical high quality. Throughout 518 profession appearances to this point, he has scored 42 objectives and offered one other 63 assists – averaging a aim contribution each 5 video games, which is an impressive return for a full-back.
Commercial
On the finish of final season, Meunier ranked ninth amongst full-backs within the French league for anticipated assists per 90 minutes, displaying that he nonetheless presents a big attacking risk.
Moreover, regardless of his age, he stays a really sturdy presser. Final season, he ranked fourth amongst French league full-backs for successful possession within the ultimate third. A mixture of that tenacity, urgent skill, peak and aerial power makes him a wonderful match for Régis Le Bris’ fashion of play.
Final season, he even made it into L’Équipe‘s French league Workforce of the Season, that includes alongside Ballon d’Or winner – and Sunderland fan – .
Even when he doesn’t begin each match, I consider his expertise coming off the bench might be very important in seeing out essential video games. The added depth he brings at right-back additionally permits Nordi Mukiele to proceed enjoying at centre-back, the place he excelled throughout the closing weeks of final season.
Commercial
He very a lot matches Sunderland’s present mannequin of bringing in a few skilled heads to assist information the membership via an unprecedented interval in its historical past and appears to be an astute signing on a free switch.