Sunderland have already made their first signing after securing promotion back to the Premier League
Sunderland Clinch Premier League Promotion as Tom Watson Bids Emotional Farewell and Enzo Le Fée Deal Becomes Permanent
Despite facing relentless pressure from Sheffield United, Sunderland stood firm and found an equaliser through Eliezer Mayenda with just 12 minutes left on the clock.
As the play-off final looked destined for extra time, 19-year-old Tom Watson seized on a misplaced pass from Kieffer Moore and calmly curled a right-footed effort past Michael Cooper, sending Sunderland back to the Premier League.
The Black Cats will now join Leeds United and Burnley in the top flight next season.
Watson’s match-winning goal proved to be his final moment in a Sunderland shirt, with the teenager set to join Brighton ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Meanwhile, Sunderland have secured a major signing of their own. French midfielder Enzo Le Fée, who joined on loan from Serie A giants AS Roma in January, will officially become a permanent signing.
The 25-year-old made 28 appearances during his loan stint, and promotion has triggered a compulsory purchase clause reported to be worth around €23–24 million. It could become the most expensive transfer in the club’s history.
Le Fée’s journey to the Premier League is marked by personal resilience and emotional hardship.
In a recent interview with The Times, he opened up about the trauma he endured in his youth, including the loss of his father.
At just 20 years old, Le Fée discovered his father’s body after he had taken his own life.
Remarkably, the young midfielder kept the tragedy to himself and continued to train and play without telling anyone.
“From age eight to 12, and again from 14 to 20, I used to visit him in prison,” Le Fée shared. “I trained normally, but every Wednesday, I’d visit him. When I turned 18, I started going alone.”
Recalling the heartbreaking moment, he said: “One Wednesday, I found him in bed—he had passed away.
The next day the police wanted to speak to me, but I said, ‘No, I have to train.’ I trained again the day after, and then played against Lens.
Nobody at the club knew. My coach only found out an hour before kick-off when my grandfather called him.”
“In the dressing room, no one knew. I told myself, my problem is mine alone. But now I can talk about it. Now I feel free.”
