Sunderland’s five best January signings, from Defoe to Kone | OneFootball

Deadline-day arrival Nilson Angulo has sizeable boots to fill at Sunderland. According to Sunderland Echo, the Ecuadorian became the club’s third winter signing on Monday after Jocelin Ta Bi and Melker Ellborg. Here are the five best January signings.

Lamine Kone proved pivotal in 2016, his defensive steel and two goals against Everton sealing safety and relegating Newcastle.

Stephane Sessegnon arrived from PSG in January 2011 for £6m, becoming the Premier League’s first Benin international. His flair made him a crowd favourite before a September 2013 switch to West Brom.

Ross Stewart joined from Ross County for £300,000 in January 2021, initially understudying Charlie Wyke. After Wyke’s exit he struck 24 goals the next season and added the second in a 2-0 play-off final win over Wycombe.

An achilles injury curtailed his 2022-23 campaign and has troubled him since moving to Southampton, yet his role in Sunderland’s revival endures.

Enzo Le Fee swapped Roma for a half-season loan in January 2024, then made the move permanent after promotion. Thriving under Regis Le Bris in the top flight, he could yet prove the finest January addition.

Jermain Defoe tops the list. The January 2015 swap with Toronto traded Jozy Altidore, one goal in 42 games, for a striker already on 125 Premier League goals.

Defoe struck the winner in a 1-0 derby against Newcastle, hit 15 in 2015-16 to underpin survival, and finished with 34 in under two and a half years, the club’s second-highest Premier League scorer.

Source: Sunderland Echo