Bertrand Traore joins Premier League side Sunderland from Ajax

Sunderland AFC have confirmed the arrival of Burkina Faso international Bertrand Traore, who joins the Black Cats on a one-year deal with an option for a further season.

The 29-year-old forward makes the move from Ajax, where he impressed last term by registering 10 goals and 8 assists across domestic and European competitions. His contribution was key as the Dutch side competed in both the Eredivisie and the UEFA Europa League.

Traore is no stranger to English football, having begun his senior career at Chelsea before later featuring for Aston Villa between 2020 and 2024, making over 60 appearances.

Bertrand Traore scored a stoppage time winner against Leicester City #OnThisDay in 2023 to keep #AVFC in the hunt for European football 😍

pic.twitter.com/LTWvNEBVpw

— Aston Villa Statto (@AVFCStatto) April 4, 2025

Over the course of his career, he has also represented Vitesse, Lyon, İstanbul Başakşehir, and Villarreal, building a record of 97 goals and 46 assists at club level.

On the international stage, Bertrand Traore has earned 78 caps for Burkina Faso, finding the net 20 times for his country.

This will be his second departure from Ajax, where he previously enjoyed a loan spell in 2016-17 and returned in 2023 after leaving Villarreal. Across his two stints in Amsterdam, he featured 89 times and scored 23 goals.

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