Sunderland signs Didier Ndong from Lorient for club-record €16M

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Looking to add further vigor to its midfield, Sunderland has signed defensive mid Didier Ndong from Lorient for a club-record fee.

The Gabonese-born, Tunisian-raised player joins the Black Cats on a five-year deal for €16 million (£13.6M), according to a statement on the club's website. He completed his medical Wednesday in France.

Sunderland's previous record was a £13-million fee paid for Asamoah Gyan.

Ndong, 22, will follow another former Lorient standout to the Stadium of Light, with centre-half Lamine Kone having joined Sunderland at the start of last season from Les Merlus on a five-year deal.

"It will be an honour to wear the Sunderland shirt and I will wear it with a true understanding of what it means," Ndong said Wednesday.

"Maybe the Sunderland fans don't know me yet, but I promise that they will quickly discover that I will give everything for them and the club. It will be an honour to wear the Sunderland shirt and I will wear it with a true understanding of what it means."

The 18-time Gabonese international made 46 appearances for Lorient after joining the Bretons in January 2015 from Tunisian side CS Sfaxien on a four-and-a-half-year deal.