Sunderland AFC have officially confirmed the signing of Arthur Masuaku, sealing their tenth acquisition in an exceptionally active summer transfer window. The DR Congo international has put pen to paper on a two-year contract, keeping him at the Stadium of Light until 2027.
The 31-year-old left-back returns to English football following a three-year stint in Turkey, reuniting with the Premier League after an impressive spell at Beşiktaş where he accumulated over 100 appearances and notched up 18 assists.
Masuaku’s journey began in France, born in Lille in November 1993. He cut his teeth at Valenciennes, progressing through Lens and Valenciennes youth ranks before turning professional.
He enjoyed early success with Olympiacos, winning two Greek league titles (2014-15, 2015-16) and the Greek Cup in 2015, earning a place in the Super League Greece Team of the Season in both championship years.
In 2016 he moved to West Ham United, where he made over 100 Premier League appearances across seven seasons before being loaned and subsequently transferred to Beşiktaş in 2022.
At Beşiktaş, Masuaku established himself as a dynamic and attacking full-back, featuring prominently across all competitions.
Not only did he deliver consistent performances in the Turkish Süper Lig, he played effectively in European tournaments, boasting 36 UEFA competition appearances and contributing significantly through assists and attacking impetus.
Last season alone, he logged 47 appearances across all competitions, illustrating both his durability and reliability, with analysts placing him among the top full-backs in the league for passing, crossing, dribbling, and progressive carries.
According to data from wyscout, Masuaku ranked second for passes, ninth for assists, fifth for shots among full-backs, while his European metrics placed him in the top echelons for successful take-ons, shots on target, and passes into the final third.
Sunderland’s sporting director Kristjaan Speakman expressed clear strategic intent behind acquiring Masuaku, emphasizing the balance he brings: experience, composure in possession, and attacking quality.
“Arthur’s a player with considerable Premier League experience and a different profile to enhance our squad,” Le Bris (the head coach) said, highlighting the player’s strength in possession, ability to impact both defensively and in the final third, and his invaluable influence on the dressing room environment.
Masuaku himself has expressed enthusiasm and gratitude. “I’m excited to be here and I’m also really happy to be back in the Premier League. It’s clear that Sunderland is a top Club and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I had three good years in Turkey, and now I have this exciting new challenge in front of me. I want to bring a winning mentality and joy to the fans, and I’m excited to get started,” he said in his first comments as a Black Cat.