Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League at the end of the 2024-25 campaign prompted a massive summer of recruitment. In preparation for their first campaign in the top flight for eight years, the Black Cats signed 15 players - including Marc Guiu, who had to return to Chelsea within a few weeks of joining - and spent a record £160m. "Sunderland's successful recruitment drive in the summer of 2025 has been well documented," said BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes.