Sunderland Director Says £30m New Signing Has 'Zero Issues' After Nearly Five-Month Injury Layoff

Sunderland football director Florent Ghisolfi said Malik Fofana, signed for £30 million on transfer deadline day, has “no problems” with his physical condition. The 21-year-old Belgian winger missed nearly five months at Lyon last season because of a right ankle injury.

Two clubs competed for the player, with medical checks becoming a key issue

The deal accelerated suddenly in the final 24 hours of the transfer window, with Crystal Palace becoming a rival for Fofana. Crystal Palace’s new manager Pierre Sage had previously coached Fofana at Lyon, first in the academy system and later as head coach. With time running short, Sunderland and Crystal Palace agreed to arrange a joint medical examination in France, and both clubs prepared private planes to take the player to their respective cities.

Fofana had originally agreed to join Sunderland, but after communicating with Sage he turned toward Crystal Palace. Financial negotiations and medical results then became decisive, and Fofana eventually chose Sunderland as his destination.

Director stresses “zero issues physically and mentally”

Fofana came on as a substitute in the second half of Sunderland’s away match against Brentford on Saturday, making his debut for the club. On Tuesday night, he started and played 79 minutes in Sunderland’s 1-0 League Cup home win over Hull City.

Speaking to reporters before kick-off, Ghisolfi said Sunderland had no doubts about Fofana’s physical or mental condition, while also understanding Crystal Palace’s own judgment on the deal, saying “it is reasonable that they wanted to protect themselves.”

“I need to protect my player, and I can say he is completely fine physically,” Ghisolfi said. “When we push forward with a player transfer, even on the final day, we know his mentality and personality. For every player on our list, we know their character. We know Malik is a good kid — he really is a good kid.”

Admits deadline-day battle was not attractive, but insists “this time we won”

On the transfer front, Ghisolfi said Sunderland “won this time, maybe next time we will lose” in their direct contest with Crystal Palace. However, he also admitted that deadline-day struggles do not present a good image for professional football.

“Unfortunately, in the football world, this kind of situation can happen now, and I am sorry about it,” he said. “It certainly does not bring a good image to the football industry, but it does happen. As a club, you also have to compete in these situations. This shows the consistency and commitment of everyone at the club, as head coach Regis Le Bris said. But most importantly, we know he is a good kid.”

“He has a top mentality, and he will integrate into Sunderland 100 percent.”

Another winger stays as European campaign approaches

The winning goal in Tuesday’s match came from Sunderland’s other winger Chemsdine Talbi, who had previously become the subject of transfer speculation after being left out of the Europa League squad. Ghisolfi called the decision “painful” but said “Chemsdine will stay 100 percent.”

Sunderland will host defending champions Arsenal on Saturday night before facing AZ Alkmaar at home next Wednesday to begin their Europa League campaign. This will be Sunderland’s first UEFA competition appearance since 1973.