On today in 2023, Eliezer Mayenda accomplished his switch to Sunderland from Sochaux for a payment believed to be simply over €1 million. The French third-tier aspect retained a 25% sell-on clause. Mayenda had turned 18 in Might and signed a five-year contract.
He made his senior debut for Sochaux in a cup sport, approaching as an alternative on the age of 16 years, seven months and 10 days – the youngest participant ever to take action. 5 days later, on 2 February, he grew to become the youngest participant ever to signal an expert contract with the membership.
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Mayenda was loaned by Sunderland to Hibernian in February 2024, the place he remained for the remainder of the season. Upon his return to Wearside, he was reintegrated into the first-team squad forward of the beginning of the 2024 – 25 Championship marketing campaign.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – JULY 28: Eliezer Mayenda holds a membership scarf at The Academy of Gentle after signing for Sunderland on July 28, 2023 in Sunderland, England. (Picture by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC by way of Getty Pictures) | Sunderland AFC by way of Getty Pictures
His first Sunderland objectives got here within the second Championship match of the season, a 4 – 0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday, the place he netted twice. The massive man went on to make 37 appearances throughout the Championship marketing campaign, in addition to that includes in all three play-off matches. Having scored eight objectives throughout the common season, he then, after all, scored twice within the play-offs, together with Sunderland’s opening objective within the last. It is not a stretch to say that, with out his contributions, Sunderland wouldn’t have been promoted to the Premier League in Might 2025.
Because the Premier League season acquired underway following promotion, Mayenda scored Sunderland’s first objective of the marketing campaign within the 3 – 0 opening-day victory over West Ham. Regardless of that flying begin, alternatives grew to become tougher to return by. He made an extra 19 league appearances, scoring only one extra objective.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – AUGUST 16: Eliezer Mayenda of Sunderland celebrates at full time throughout the Premier League match between Sunderland and West Ham United at Stadium of Gentle on August 16, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Picture by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Pictures) | Getty Pictures
Having slipped to 3rd selection at centre-forward because of the type of Brian Brobbey and Wilson Isidor, Mayenda – nonetheless solely 21 years outdated – was offered in the summertime of 2026 to Rennes in Ligue 1. The €25 million payment represented a wonderful return on Sunderland’s funding, regardless of 25% of the switch payment going to Sochaux.
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Eliezer Mayenda grew to become a vastly fashionable determine across the Stadium of Gentle throughout his time on Wearside and shall be remembered fondly. His “Huge Man” chant grew to become a fan favorite and will effectively stay one for a few years to return.