Sunderland sign Belgium defender Meunier on free transfer

July 15 (Reuters) - Belgium defender Thomas Meunier has joined Sunderland on a two-year contract following his departure from French side Lille, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

• The 34-year-old arrives on a free transfer after making 35 appearances in all competitions for Lille last season.

• "When I got the call from Sunderland asking me to be part of the project, of course it's the Premier League - it's even bigger than European football," Meunier said.

• Meunier, who spent four years each at Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund, has won 83 caps for Belgium and represented his country at the 2026 World Cup.

• Meanwhile, midfielder Harry Winks has joined Serie A side Cagliari after Leicester City's relegation to League One.

• The 30-year-old made 34 Championship appearances last season and 109 appearances in all competitions since his arrival at the club in 2023.