Sunderland new boy Isaac Lihadji says it was the project at the Stadium of Light that attracted him to the club after signing a two-and-a-half year deal with the Black Cats, with the club having the option of a further year. The 20-year-old signs for the club for an undisclosed fee from Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille subject to international clearance.
The forward made 39 senior appearances during his time at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, including 21 in Lille’s 2020-21 title-winning campaign and three in last season’s UEFA Champions League. The young striker is one of only two current Sky Bet Championship players to be nominated for the 2022 Golden Boy award, with fellow Black Cat Amad Diallo also shortlisted for the prestigious accolade.
"The project attracted me," Lihadji told safc.com "I was really happy with that and it interested me a lot. The club inspire young players to improve their level. I started football at nine-years-old in Marseille at a club called FC Septemes.
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"I started playing for fun and pleasure and then I arrived at Olympique De Marseille. I started to improve bit-by-bit and went to Lille three years later.
"Now here I am in Sunderland. I am very happy to sign for Sunderland. I can see it's a beautiful city with supporters who have a great love for football. I'm happy to be here."
Lihadji began his with Septemes-les-Vallons before moving to Olympique de Marseille's youth set-up aged 14 and rapidly progressing through Les Phocéens’ youth set-up. He made his senior debut for OM at 17 and went on to feature on one more occasion for the Stade Vélodrome-based outfit, whilst also earning international recognition with France from Under-16 to Under-21 level.
The Frenchman will wear the no.22 shirt and will train with his new team-mates for the first time on Friday morning.
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