Sunderland announced yesterday that they had signed young French midfielder Pierre Ekwah from West Ham for an undisclosed fee. He penned a four-year deal until 2027 and becomes yet another youngster to join the Black Cats' ranks.
The midfielder was a member of the famous Clairefontaine academy, which has produced a number of French football royalty, including World Cup winners Thierry Henry, Blaise Matuidi, Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe. Ekwah has cited French legend Zinedine Zidane as his main idol, although has also listed households names such as Kaka, Andrea Pirlo, and Claude Makelele as inspirations.
He has described his best role as a 'box-to-box' midfielder and thrives off breaking up play and driving the ball forward. The midfielder also has a few goals to show for his attacking disposition, with five goals and two assists in 14 appearances for West Ham under-23s this term.
READ MORE: Supercomputer delivers verdict on Sunderland's playoff chances after Middlesbrough win
The 20-year-old is a holding midfielder by trade but also had a stint at centre-back during his days at Chelsea. He generally played on the left side of a back-three for the Blues, and featured alongside the likes Ian Maatsen and Jon Russell, who are currently on loan at Burnley and Huddersfield respectively from Chelsea.
But the France under-20 international will be determined to play in his preferred role, and challenge for one of the two holding midfield slots in Tony Mowbray's 4-2-3-1 formation, or one of the two positions in the heart of midfield in his 3-4-3 system.
Corry Evans and Dan Neil have formed an efficient midfield partnership at the Stadium of Light, but the arrival of Ekwah could provide strong competition. Ekwah's versatility coupled with Jay Matete's loan switch to Plymouth Argyle will also enhance his chances of playing for Sunderland.
Furthermore, youthful quality has been a blessing on Wearside this season, with the likes of Neil, Jewison Bennette, Aji Alese, Trai Hume, Dan Ballard, Dennis Cirkin and Amad Diallo all starring regularly for the Black Cats.
Ekwah, a player with pedigree at youth level, having had a stint in the revered Clairefontaine academy, as well as spells at Chelsea and West Ham, could very well be the next bright light of Sunderland's youth brigade.
READ NEXT
Sunderland's homegrown talent Dan Neil beginning to find his feet in the Championship
New Sunderland signing Pierre Ekwah explains why he wanted Wearside switch
Ex-Manchester United coach Michael Carrick explains the improvement in Amad while at Sunderland
Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray keen to keep a lid on play-off talk despite Middlesbrough win
'What a talent' says Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray, as Trai Hume impresses again
