Ivory Coast winger Simon Adingra, who delivered two crucial assists to sink Nigeria in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON ) final, is set to join Premier League newcomers Sunderland from Brighton & Hove Albion in a £20 million move.
The 23-year-old has agreed personal terms with the Black Cats and will undergo a medical in the coming days.
Sunderland will pay Brighton €21 million plus €3 million in performance-based add-ons to secure the signature of the dynamic forward.
Adingra nearly joined Sunderland in January as part of the deal that brought teenage winger Tommy Watson to Brighton for £10m. Although Watson’s move went through, Adingra’s transfer stalled until now.
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Adingra etched his name into African football folklore in February when he assisted both goals in Ivory Coast’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the 2024 AFCON final in Abidjan.
Simon Adingra trying to dribble pass. Super Eagle’s Ola Aina. Photo Credit:X
With the hosts trailing 1–0, Adingra’s pinpoint corner was headed in by Franck Kessié in the 62nd minute to restore parity.
Then, in the 81st minute, the Brighton man delivered a sublime cross for Sébastien Haller to fire home the winner from close range.
The win secured the Elephants’ third continental crown following their 1992 and 2015 triumphs and completed a stunning turnaround in a tournament they nearly exited in the group stage.
Adingra joined Brighton in 2023 from Danish side FC Nordsjaelland for around £8m.
Ivorian winger Simon Adingra. Photo Credit; X
He was immediately loaned to Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise, where he lit up the Jupiler Pro League with 15 goals and 14 assists in 51 matches.
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He returned to Brighton and made 73 appearances, scoring 12 goals and assisting five more.
While he impressed under former manager Roberto De Zerbi, Adingra saw reduced minutes last season, prompting interest from clubs seeking a more central role for the winger.
Adingra at Brighton. Photo Credit: X
Promoted back to the Premier League for the first time since 2017, Sunderland are sending a clear message with Adingra’s signing.
Capable of playing on either flank, the Ivorian brings pace, flair, and proven end product at the highest level.
His match-winning contributions at AFCON and experience in European football make him one of Sunderland’s most exciting additions in years.
