SUNDERLAND have confirmed Enzo Le Fee will join them permanently for £20m after helping the club to promotion.
The French star, 25, reunited with his former Lorient boss Regis Le Bris in January on a six-month loan from Roma that ended with Championship play-off glory.
Winger Le Fee has now penned a four-year contract to become the Black Cats’ first summer signing.
He said: “I said before the play-off final that my heart was in Sunderland – I wanted to stay and this made it the most important game of my life.
“Together we did it. From the moment I arrived, I have enjoyed my football, my team-mates, and our supporters.
“We shared an incredible experience, and now we get to take the next step.
“There are greater challenges ahead, but we must face them together.
“And I can’t wait to play for Sunderland in the Premier League.”
After triggering the clause to make the switch permanent, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman added: “In Enzo, we knew we were acquiring a very high-level player who could be influential in critical moments – the moments that change the outcome of games and seasons.
“He’s been a big part of our success, so we’re delighted that he’s signing permanently and joining us in the Premier League.
“Above all else, he’s been a team player, and following our play-off final victory, I think everyone could see exactly what the club means to him.”
Since January, Le Fee has scored one goal and provided three assists in 18 Championship appearances, starting 11 of them – including the play-offs.
Meanwhile, Sunderland are trying to keep hold of Jobe Bellingham after interest from Borussia Dortmund and Frankfurt.
The Black Cats could hold out for £25m for Bellingham, 19, who won Championship Young Player of the Year this season.
He is the brother of Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, who won the same award in 2020 while playing for Birmingham City.
The midfielder could face his older brother in the Club World Club if he joins Jude’s former club Dortmund before June 10.
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