With the end of the summer transfer window for another year, Sunderland can now turn their attention to their Championship aspirations.

Sunderland will be relieved that the transfer window has closed, allowing manager Régis Le Bris to focus on the squad as they aim for promotion back to the Premier League. The club avoided any major controversies during deadline day, a welcome change from past experiences.

One such incident occurred eight years ago when Sunderland had to appeal to FIFA over the signing of goalkeeper Mika from Boavista. The deal was plagued by delays in paperwork, but FIFA eventually allowed the transfer to proceed after a technical fault on Boavista’s end. Unfortunately, Mika’s tenure at Sunderland was short-lived, with only two competitive appearances before his contract was terminated. His signing was meant to address a goalkeeping crisis after Vito Mannone’s injury, but instead, Jordan Pickford emerged as the first-choice goalkeeper, a move that ultimately proved beneficial for the club.

In contrast, Sunderland’s recruitment process has significantly improved since the Mika debacle. Although it took time to recover from the mismanagement that led to their fall to League One, the club is now on a more stable path. Last season’s playoff run under Tony Mowbray and a promising start under Le Bris this season have given fans renewed optimism. The club’s recent transfer dealings reflect a more considered and effective strategy, reducing the likelihood of another situation like Mika’s in the future.