Thomas Meunier has joined Sunderland on a two-year deal, the veteran Belgium right-back arriving on a free transfer after his contract at Lille expired. The 34-year-old, capped 83 times and fresh from the 2026 World Cup, becomes Régis Le Bris’s first summer signing as the Black Cats prepare for a second successive Premier League season alongside a Europa League campaign.
“I’m hugely excited and honoured to join Sunderland,” said Meunier. “When I spoke with the club I was impressed by the ambition, the project and the desire to keep moving forward. Competing in Europe was also a big factor in my decision.”
“Sunderland sign Thomas Meunier on free transfer; Brighton break record for Luka Vuskovic at £46m.”
Director of football Florent Ghisolfi hailed the defender’s pedigree: “Throughout his career he has consistently performed at the highest level, representing some of Europe’s biggest clubs, and Belgium on the international stage. He brings a wealth of experience, leadership and professionalism.”
Meunier, who has made 43 Champions League and 33 Europa League appearances for Paris St-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and others, will compete with Northern Ireland’s Trai Hume at right-back, potentially allowing Nordi Mukiele to move to centre-back. He will link up with the squad in early August.
Brighton, meanwhile, broke their transfer record to sign Croatia defender Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham for £46m, a fee that could rise to £50m with add-ons. The 19-year-old, who joined Spurs in 2025 from Hajduk Split and spent last season on loan at Hamburg, has signed a five-year contract with a further-year option.
Vuskovic, a World Cup starter for Croatia against England last month, replaces Netherlands centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke, who moved in the opposite direction to Spurs for £52m. Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler said: “Last season he demonstrated he can play at a very high level and we want to help him build on that within our environment. There’s been a lot of external noise about Luka joining us, but he is still a young guy who will need time to adjust.”
Born in Split, Vuskovic became the youngest player to feature in Croatia’s top flight at 16 and later the club’s youngest goalscorer. He was named Rookie of the Season in the Bundesliga and made the Team of the Year. Brighton begin their Premier League season at home to Aston Villa on 23 August.