Sunderland sign Belgian winger Malick Fofana | OneFootball

Sunderland have completed the signing of Lyon winger Malick Fofana in a club-record £30.8m deal after an extraordinary Deadline Day saga involving Crystal Palace, one medical and two private jets.

The 21-year-old Belgian initially looked set to join Sunderland after the Black Cats agreed a deal with Lyon for the winger. However, Crystal Palace attempted to hijack the move after manager Pierre Sage, who previously coached Fofana at Lyon, made contact with the player.

Fofana was reportedly left at Lyon airport with two private jets waiting - one bound for Sunderland and another ready to take him to London. After changing his mind, the winger eventually opted to complete his move to the Stadium of Light.

Fofana becomes Sunderland’s fifth signing of the window and has agreed a five-year contract. He made 84 appearances for Lyon over three seasons, scoring 19 goals and providing six assists.