ARMAND LAURIENTE: WHO ARE YOU?

Today news broke that Sunderland have agreed on a €20M fee to sign French winger Armand Lauriente from Serie A side Sassuolo. Before his arrival on Wearside is confirmed, here are a few facts about him and what he’s done elsewhere.

Born in France on the fourth of December 1998 and with Guadeloupean roots, he began his youth career throughout France from around 2012 with Paris club Red Star before being snapped up by Ligue 1 side Rennes in 2013. It was here where he shone for the academy and eventually, years later in July 2018, Armand signed his first professional contract with Rennes.

Upon breaking onto the professional scene, he was immediately loaned out to Orleans in Ligue 2 to gather experience before playing for the Rennes first team. This resulted in a three-goal season across 17 games in all competitions - not bad for his first season at professional level. Upon his return in January 2019, he was then loaned out again to (at the time) second division side Lorient. It was here where Lauriente would first come into contact with Regis Le Bris, who was in charge of Lorient B.

In the 19/20 season he played well as Lorient won the title, scoring three goals and assisting a further six. After impressing he was bought permanently. The next two seasons at Lorient were fairly solid, with Armand racking up three goals and five assists in 20/21 and a further six goals with two assists in his final outing in France. During his time at RLB’s club, the versatile forward alongside Enzo Le Fee. It was in 2022, after helping Lorient avoid relegation in 16th place, when mid-table Serie A side Sassuolo coughed up a fee of £10M to bring him to Italy.

He proved to be well worth the fee in his first season, bagging himself seven and providing for six as Sassuolo finished 13th. Unfortunately, the club’s next season ended in relegation with a 19th place finish. But this would not hinder the side, as Armand stepped up and became the club’s top scorer in their singular season in Serie B, scoring a huge 19 goals and assisting five more and thrashing the rest of the division. Proven to be able to perform at the top level in Italy, the Mackems have secured themselves a potential star in his prime at only 26. On the international stage he has no senior caps but is a former French Youth international. An impressive achievement considering some of the names in the youth squad in his age bracket: Konate, Kounde, Guendouzi, Camavinga, Thcouameni, Kolo Muani…

Overall, it is an exciting signing to make knowing that he is prolific at a high level and has a frequent eye for both a goal and a set-up. His versatility is perhaps the 26-year-old’s best trait, with experience on both wings or leading the line himself. Playing 102 games in just three seasons at the club, he can hopefully be a regular in our lineups. Good luck Armand, the Mackems are behind you!