Sunderland AFC announced the signing of Salis Abdul Samed on transfer deadline day.
The 24-year-old midfielder has moved to Wearside on a season-long loan from RC Lens, subject to international clearance.
A Ghana international, Samed made 36 appearances for the Ligue 1 side last season, including six in the UEFA Champions League.
Kristjaan Speakman added: “We are delighted to welcome Sallis to Sunderland. He’s a defensive midfielder player, who is disciplined in and out of possession. He is a different profile within our midfield, and we believe he will relish the battles that come with playing in a league like the Sky Bet Championship. Sallis’ experiences in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League will stand him in good stead, as we support him in transitioning to English football.”
Samed started his career at the JMG Academy in the Côte d’Ivoire before moving to France in 2019, signing a two-year contract at Clermont Foot.
He was part of the squad that earned promotion to Ligue 1 in 2021 and he played a significant role in the French top tier, appearing 31 times as Clermont retained their top-flight status for the first time in their history.
After moving to RC Lens in June 2022, Samed enjoyed a formidable debut season in Northern France, as Franck Haise’s side finished second in Ligue 1 and qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 20 years.
A 2022-23 Prix Marc-Vivien Foé award nominee, Samed received his first international callup to the Ghana national team in November 2022 ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
