Home / Sports / Two Jets, One Player: Fofana's Club-Record Move to Sunderland
Two Jets, One Player: Fofana's Club-Record Move to Sunderland
2 Sep
Summary
- Malick Fofana joins Sunderland for a club-record £30.8m deal.
- Crystal Palace attempted to hijack the transfer on Deadline Day.
- Fofana ultimately chose Sunderland after a dramatic U-turn.
Winger Malick Fofana has completed a club-record transfer to Sunderland, with the deal valued at £30.8 million. The move followed an extraordinary Deadline Day that saw Crystal Palace attempting to hijack the signing.
Initially, Sunderland had agreed terms with Lyon for the 21-year-old Belgian. However, Palace manager Pierre Sage contacted Fofana, prompting the player to reconsider his options.
Reports indicate Fofana was left at Lyon airport with two private jets waiting. After a period of indecision, he eventually opted to finalize his transfer to Sunderland, signing a five-year contract.
Fofana becomes Sunderland's fifth acquisition of the transfer window, having previously made 84 appearances for Lyon, scoring 19 goals and providing six assists.
