Midfielder Noah Sadiki is leaving Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise for Sunderland, who were promoted to the Premier League last season.
The two clubs announced the move on Friday, Belga News Agency reports. According to various media reports, the transfer fee is €17 million.
This is almost a record for the Brussels club. Only Victor Boniface's transfer to Bayer Leverkusen two years ago (around €23 million) cost more.
Two years ago, Union snapped up the Belgian-Congolese midfielder from local rivals RSC Anderlecht, as Sadiki saw no future at the club.
At Parc Duden, he established himself as an indispensable player in midfield. In total, Sadiki, 20, played 108 matches for Union.
With the Brussels team, he contributed to last year's cup victory and last season's league title. Sadiki can now prepare for the Premier League.
Sunderland played at the highest level in England for many years, but in recent seasons the Black Cats had slipped down to the third division.
After many difficult years, the club proved too strong for Sheffield United in the promotion final at the end of May, meaning that the traditional club from the north of England will play at the highest level again for the first time since 2017.
During their last season in the Premier League, Jason Denayer and Adnan Januzaj defended Sunderland's red and white colours. Simon Mignolet also enjoyed several successful seasons there.
