Benji Kimpioka has left Sunderland to join Swedish side AIK on a permanent basis for an undisclosed fee. The 22-year-old striker, who had spent five-and-a-half years with the Black Cats, would have been out of contract this summer.
But instead he has moved back to his homeland, joining the Allsvenskan club on Sweden's pre-season transfer deadline day on a deal that runs until the end of December 2024. Kimpioka said: "I am very happy that everything had time to fall into place in such a short time.
"It was a lot of stress, but it was worth it. Now I long to come down to Karlberg and meet the players and Bartos [Grzelak, AIK's manager]."
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Kimpioka leaves Sunderland having made 16 senior appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring four goals - the most recent of which came in the Black Cats' 5-0 win against Sheffield Wednesday at the Stadium of Light at the end of December. But in general he struggled to make an impact in the first-team either at Sunderland or during loan spells at Torquay last season and Southend this term, and instead played the majority of his football at U23 level.
"Benji has been unable to make an impact at first-team level due to incredibly strong competition for places and understandably he has a desire to play regular senior football, so this represents a good opportunity for him," said Sunderland's sporting director Kristjaan Speakman. "He's a likeable young player who will be missed by his team-mates and club staff, but we wish him the very best in the next chapter of his career."
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