Sunderland close to signing France Under-21 midfielder Noé Lebreton from NEC Nijmegen

Sunderland are closing in on the signing of France Under-21 international Noé Lebreton from NEC Nijmegen, as the club prepares for its first European campaign in the 2026/27 season following a seventh-place Premier League finish.

Lebreton, 22, joined NEC last summer from SM Caen in France’s second tier and made an immediate impact in the Eredivisie, scoring seven goals and registering six assists in 27 appearances. His contributions helped NEC finish third in the table and secure a historic first-ever appearance in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.

The move mirrors Sunderland’s recruitment of Dutch goalkeeper Robin Roefs from the same club last summer. Roefs, 23, impressed throughout his debut season in English football, and head coach Regis Le Bris appears ready to return to Nijmegen for another key piece.

Lebreton’s profile fits a clear pattern at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland already count 10 French-speaking players in their first-team squad, a factor that may have strengthened the club’s pitch to the young midfielder and eased the transition from the Eredivisie.

His final months at NEC underlined his quality at a high level. Lebreton assisted the winning goal against PSV Eindhoven in the KNVB Cup semi-final, and the club went on to reach the final. NEC also claimed a notable Eredivisie scalp by defeating Feyenoord at De Kuip during the campaign.

Sunderland’s recruitment last summer drew widespread praise, with the arrivals of Netherlands international Brian Brobbey from Ajax and Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen signalling serious ambition. The club appears intent on continuing that approach as it balances Premier League and Europa League commitments for the first time.

The Black Cats open their league season away to newly-promoted Ipswich Town on August 22.