MAYENDA SET TO LEAVE

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Eliezer Mayenda is due to sign for Stade Rennais for a fee of around 25 million Euros. It seems to only be a matter of time until this is confirmed by the club.

This is a sad exit, yet one which feels expected given Mayenda's lack of minutes last season. He joined Sunderland in the Championship as an 18-year-old and will leave at 21 years old having spearheaded the Lads to promotion before also contributing to our Europe League finish.

After initially struggling to make his way into the senior team Mayenda was loaned out to Hibs, where game time was once again limited. It was a surprise when new Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris began the 2024/25 season with Mayenda leading the line, but the young forward showed his quality and seemed to grow in stature as the season went on. He finished that Championship campaign with eight league goals and five assists as we finished in the play-off spots. The Big Man proved his quality during the play-off campaign with two more crucial goals, one against Coventry and one against Sheffield United.

In the top flight, Eliezer once again started the season up front somewhat unexpectedly, and opened his account on the opening day against West Ham. However, Wilson Isidor started the season in excellent form and then once Brian Brobbey came in, the position of number nine was pretty much nailed down by the Dutchman. He featured on occassion, either up front or on the wing, but 2025/26 was largely limited to substitute appearances for Mayenda. His only other goal of the season came away to Bournemouth.

He's now at an age where he needs to be playing regular football. Having progressed through Spain's youth ranks while at SAFC, he has great potential and could have a really exciting career in the game. No doubt this season has been a learning curve for him and given the striker valuable experience in the top flight. Considering how little we paid for Mayenda, this deal represents excellent business and boosts our spending power in terms of PSR.

Our final memory of Mayenda was on the final day of the season against Chelsea, when he sent the kitman over to ALS to buy a pair of FTM Sunglasses.

Good luck, Big Man!