Arthur Masuaku moves to RC Lens on loan

DR Congo national team left back Arthur Masuaku will return to French club football for the first time in over a decade after his loan move to Ligue 1 club RC Lens from English Premier League club Sunderland was confirmed on Tuesday.

 

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The native of Lille will compete for playing time at the club based in Pas-de-Calais after the 32-year-old’s latest move was announced. He will spend the rest of the 2025-26 campaign there on a temporary basis, with no option for the Ligue 1 club to purchase the player permanently.

True to the nature of the Lens media team, the French-Congolese defender’s arrival was greeted with a creative post that referenced the famous American movie Back to the Future.

 

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Initially signed on a free transfer to provide depth in the Sunderland squad following their return to the English Premier League, Masuaku received few opportunities to prove himself. The former West Ham United player was limited to four appearances in all competitions (3 Premier League, 1 Carabao Cup).

But more opportunities to play may await at a club that is enjoying a tremendous season so far. Les Sang et Or are currently in second place on the Ligue 1 table, only two points behind reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain. An eight-match winning streak in the league came to an end on Saturday with a 1-3 defeat at third place Olympique de Marseille. Masuaku will be eligible to play on Friday when his new club hosts Le Havre.

Despite the lack of minutes at Sunderland, Masuaku remains a crucial piece of the DR Congo national team. He featured in two matches for the Leopards at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations before being forced out due to an injury suffered during a 1-1 draw against Senegal in the group stage.

Fuka Masuaku seized the chance 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆. 😉

That’s definitely your #GoalOfTheDay! 🤝@1xBet_Eng | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/sk549fQRbX

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) February 3, 2024

He played the full 120 minutes back in November as the DRC overcame Nigeria in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw to win the African regional qualifying playoff. The result advanced the Leopards to the inter-confederation playoff, where they will battle against either New Caledonia or Jamaica in Mexico for a place at the World Cup finals set to take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada beginning in June.

Masuaku previously began his professional career in France after coming through the youth ranks of Valenciennes, another club based in the country’s north. He became a regular contributor with the club during the 2013-14 Ligue 1 season, leaving for his first move abroad with Greek giants Olympiacos after Valenciennes were relegated. Successful spells followed with the Greek club as well as West Ham and Turkish club Besiktas.

The veteran defender has made 372 appearances in all competitions during his career, contributing 9 goals and 41 assists. Known for his crossing ability and eagerness to attack from his defensive position, Masuaku elected to represent DR Congo in 2018 after previously representing France at the U-18 and U-19 levels. He has 4 goals and 3 assists in 42 appearances for the Leopards, representing the country of his parents at three editions of the Africa Cup of Nations (2019, 2023, 2025).