Monaco to announce loan capture of Simon Adingra

Simon Adingra will join French Ligue 1 club AS Monaco on an initial loan deal from English Premier League club Sunderland.

After struggling for playing time with The Black Cats, the winger is set to join the club principality club for a €1 million loan fee. Fabrizio Romano reports that there will be a €17 million option to make the transfer permanent.

🚨🇲🇨 Simon Adingra to AS Monaco, here we go! Verbal agreement done with Sunderland.

Understand it’s a deal worth €1m with €17m buy option clause. Visa being sorted and medical next. pic.twitter.com/SCEtPOrx9s

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 2, 2026

The Ivorian international has experienced a meteoric rise in his career having gone from the Right to Dream Soccer Academy system in Ghana to Africa Cup of Nations champion at the 2023 edition.

He soon joined the European partners of Right to Dream, Nordsjaelland, where he spent just a season between 2021 and 2022 before being snapped up by English Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion on a four-year deal.

He was shipped out on loan to partners Union Saint-Gilloise to accumulate more playing time in the Belgian Pro League.

On 10 July 2025, Adingra signed for fellow English Premier League club Sunderland signing a five-year contract. Close sources indicate that the initial loan deal to Monaco is worth €1m with €17m buy option clause with the move subject to medical test.

Simon Adingra was not named by Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Nicolas Pepe where the Elephants suffered a quarter final elimination by record holders Egypt.

The 24-year-old who is capped 26 times by the three time African champions with four goals, provided two assists as Ivory Coast beat Nigeria 2-1 to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil, earning Man-of-the-Match in the game.

A fresh start after limited minutes at Sunderland

Adingra’s move comes after a challenging spell at Sunderland, where he struggled to secure regular playing time following his arrival last summer. Despite high expectations after signing a five-year contract with the Black Cats in July 2025, competition for places and tactical considerations limited his opportunities in the Premier League.

The temporary switch to Monaco is viewed as an opportunity for the 24-year-old to revive his momentum and gain consistent minutes at a club renowned for developing attacking talent. Competing in Ligue 1 and European competitions, Monaco offer a platform well suited to Adingra’s pace, creativity, and direct attacking style.

Monaco’s interest and tactical fit

AS Monaco have been actively searching for dynamic wide players capable of adding speed and unpredictability to their attack. Adingra’s profile fits that requirement perfectly. Comfortable on either flank, the Ivorian international is known for his explosive acceleration, one-on-one ability, and willingness to attack defenders.

The Ligue 1 side see the loan deal as a low-risk, high-reward opportunity, with the €17 million purchase option giving them flexibility depending on his performances. Should Adingra rediscover his best form, Monaco would be well placed to secure him permanently.

From Right to Dream to European football

Simon Adingra’s journey to the top level of European football has been rapid and impressive. He emerged from the Right to Dream Soccer Academy system in Ghana, a pathway that has produced several elite African talents. His performances quickly caught the attention of European scouts, leading to a move to Danish side FC Nordsjælland, the academy’s European partner.

Adingra spent just one season in Denmark between 2021 and 2022, where his pace and end product stood out in the Superliga. That brief but impactful spell earned him a transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion, who signed him on a four-year deal as part of their data-driven recruitment strategy.

Loan spell in Belgium and continued development

To accelerate his development, Brighton sent Adingra on loan to Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise. In the Belgian Pro League, he gained valuable experience, playing regular football and adapting to the tactical demands of European competition.

Those experiences helped shape Adingra into a more complete winger, capable not only of attacking but also contributing defensively—an attribute highly valued in modern football systems.

AFCON glory with Ivory Coast

On the international stage, Adingra has already enjoyed a career-defining moment. He was part of the Ivory Coast squad that won the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil, a tournament that cemented his reputation across the continent.

In the dramatic final against Nigeria, Adingra played a decisive role by providing two assists in the 2–1 victory, earning the Man of the Match award for his outstanding performance. That display highlighted his ability to deliver on the biggest stage under intense pressure.

To date, the winger has earned 26 caps for Ivory Coast, scoring four international goals. However, he was notably omitted from the Elephants’ squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations by head coach Emerse Faé, as Ivory Coast exited the tournament at the quarter-final stage against record champions Egypt.

Motivation to return stronger

The move to Monaco is therefore seen as a crucial step in Adingra’s bid to re-establish himself both at club level and in the national team setup. Regular performances in Ligue 1 could put him back into contention for future international tournaments and qualifiers.

At 24, Adingra is entering a critical phase of his career, where consistent playing time and confidence will be key. Monaco’s attacking philosophy and track record with young players may provide the ideal environment for him to flourish once again.