Sunderland continued their recruitment drive following promotion today by confirming the arrival of full-back Reinildo Mandava.
The 31-year-old’s contract at Atletico Madrid expired following the Club World Cup and he has signed a two-year deal at the Stadium of Light.
Reinildo will bring much-needed experience to a Sunderland squad that, despite being the youngest in the Championship last season, managed to clinch a place in the top-flight via the play-offs.
He said: “It is a dream come true because it has always been my ambition to play in the Premier League – and I can’t wait to play for an historic club like Sunderland. I’m excited to meet the team, to fight, and to give everything for the club.
“I want to help, to give power to my team-mates, and transmit my experience in the dressing room. Above all else, I want to make people happy and I will give everything to make that happen.”
🏆 Ligue 1 winner with LOSC Lille
💯 More than 100 apps for @Atleti
🌍 49 caps for MozambiqueA player with serious pedigree… ⤵️
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) July 8, 2025
Ligue 1 title winner
The Mozambique international, whose last appearance for Atletico came against Paris Saint-Germain last month, has also played for Benfica and Lille, with whom he won the Ligue 1 title and was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year in 2021.
Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: “We’ve had to be patient to finalise this transfer due to his involvement in the Club World Cup, but we’re delighted to welcome Reinildo to Wearside.
“We feel he’s an ideal profile for our full-back position and his experience is a perfect fit for our squad composition. He’s shown a real desire to join our club throughout our discussions, and to be the first Mozambican to play in the Premier League.
“He’s highly motivated by this challenge and he has a personality I’m sure our supporters will connect with, so we are looking forward to welcoming him to Sunderland later this month.”
Reinildo will compete with Dennis Cirkin for the left-back berth and joins Enzo Le Fee, whose loan deal from Roma was made permanent, Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra as new arrivals on Wearside.
