LONDON — World Cup veteran Thomas Meunier joined Sunderland on Wednesday ahead of the English club’s first European campaign for 53 years.
Read more World Cup star Lopes returns to Champions League action captaining Shamrock Rovers to win
The 34-year-old Belgium defender was a free agent after playing at his third straight World Cup. His contract at Lille expired during the tournament.
Sunderland said Meunier, who previously played for Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund, signed a two-year contract.
Newly promoted Sunderland was widely forecast to be relegated last season yet placed seventh to qualify for the Europa League. Sunderland previously played in the European Cup-Winners’ Cup in 1973 after a storied FA Cup title as a second-tier team.
Read more Trump administration scales back immigration crackdown after ICE shootings
Sunderland players carried their good form into the World Cup with captain Granit Xhaka impressing for Switzerland, Brian Brobbey scoring three goals for the Netherlands and Wilson Isidor scoring for Haiti.
Meunier is the third Belgium player to join a new club since a World Cup quarterfinals loss against Spain last Friday. Youri Tielemans moved to Manchester United from Aston Villa and Leandro Trossard left Arsenal for Besiktas.
Read more Todd Blanche faces Capitol Hill grilling in bid to become attorney general
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
