On deadline day, Saint-Étienne secured Pierre Ekwah from Sunderland on a loan deal with an option to buy.
Sunderland appointed Régis Le Bris as their new manager over the summer, but Ekwah did not feature in the league under his tenure, making only one appearance in the EFL Cup this season.
Ekwah joined Sunderland in January 2023 and was a regular until the end of last season. His limited role under Le Bris contributed to his decision to leave the Stadium of Light.
In a detailed interview with Poteaux-Carrés, Le Bris discussed Ekwah’s move to Saint-Étienne. He mentioned that he “would have liked” to evaluate Ekwah more closely during pre-season, but an injury in July sidelined the player for two weeks.
“Pierre was out and returned at the end of our preparatory phase, but by then the team had really progressed. This likely reinforced his belief that a new opportunity was necessary,” Le Bris said. “Given that the team was doing well, it made sense for Pierre to pursue a new project. It happened somewhat by chance, but also seems destined. I would have liked to try him out, but circumstances didn’t allow.”
Olivier Dall’Oglio, Le Bris’ fellow Frenchman and current manager of Saint-Étienne since 2023, views the move as a ‘step forward’ for Ekwah.
When asked whether Dall’Oglio had contacted him regarding the midfielder, Le Bris clarified, “You’re mistaken [laughs]. Olivier could have, but he didn’t. The recruitment networks are often quite unpredictable [laughs]. I’m not familiar with the details, but I wish Pierre all the best at Saint-Étienne.”
Le Bris added, “Beyond being a good player, Pierre is a pleasant and uncomplicated person with a strong work ethic. He will have a great support system in Saint-Étienne, and I hope that motivates him to perform at his best.”
