In a significant deadline-day move, Sunderland AFC has completed the signing of Ecuadorian international winger Nilson Angulo from Belgian side RSC Anderlecht for an initial fee of approximately £15 million, bolstering their attack ahead of the final stretch of the Premier League season.
The 22-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with the Black Cats, who activated the release clause in his contract to secure the transfer just before the window closed on February 2, 2026.
Angulo arrives at the Stadium of Light with a burgeoning reputation, having been a standout performer for Anderlecht during the current campaign.
In 30 appearances across all competitions this season, he contributed seven goals and five assists, establishing himself as the club’s top scorer and a key creative force. His performances earned him an average FotMob rating of 7.61 in the Belgian Pro League, reflecting his consistent impact.
Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris expressed his confidence in the new signing, stating, “I think he is a strong, powerful tall winger with strong physical ability. He has this South American style of play as well, with the ability to be creative. He likes the one-v-one situations, he has this character”.
The Ecuadorian’s path to Wearside began in his homeland with Independiente del Valle and LDU Quito, where he won the Supercopa Ecuador in 2021 before moving to Europe in 2022. After initially featuring for Anderlecht’s reserve team, he broke into the senior squad and has since earned 12 caps for Ecuador, scoring one international goal.
Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman hailed the acquisition, saying, “Nilson is an incredibly exciting prospect… A quick and creative wide player, he excels in all the core actions required to impact the final third, and he arrives ambitious to make an impression”.
Angulo’s signing represents a calculated strategic move by Sunderland’s recruitment team, aligning with owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’s vision of sustainable growth.
The club, currently positioned 11th in the Premier League with a game in hand, has focused on securing young talent with high potential, as evidenced by other deadline-day signings of 19-year-old Ivorian winger Jocelin Ta Bi and Swedish goalkeeper Melker Ellborg.
Angulo’s move also makes strategic sense for the player ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, offering him a prominent platform in one of the world’s most watched leagues to cement his place for Ecuador.
The transfer was facilitated by Sunderland’s decision to allow winger Simon Adingra to depart on loan to AS Monaco, creating space and resources for Angulo’s arrival.
He is expected to join his new teammates for training later this week as Sunderland prepares for their upcoming fixture against Arsenal on February 7.
While Le Bris acknowledged that adaptation time may be required, the club and its supporters will be hopeful that Angulo’s blend of physicality, dribbling skill, and goal threat can provide an immediate boost in their pursuit of a top-half finish in their first season back in the top flight.