Mozambique defender Reinildo Mandava is set to make history in the English Premier League following his switch to Sunderland in the ongoing summer transfer window.
The 31-year-old defender has completed a significant move to the Black Cats from Atletico Madrid, bringing an end to his three-year spell in Spain.
Mandava penned a two-year deal to join Sunderland. With his wealth of experience, he is expected to play a huge for the club next season.
The enterprising left-back will become the first Mozambican player to play in the Premier League after his latest move.
He joined Atletico Madrid in 2022 and made 99 appearances across all competitions, including 32 last season, when he featured regularly in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
His last appearance for Diego Simeone’s Rojiblancos came last month when he lined up against Paris Saint-Germain at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Born in Mozambique, the 31-year-old started his career in his homeland with Ferroviário da Beira and GD Maputo before moving to Europe in 2015, signing for S.L. Benfica.
He moved to Belenenses SAD in 2018 and joined LOSC Lille on loan six months later, a move which became permanent the following summer and led to Reinildo winning the Ligue 1 title and Trophée des Champions in 2021 – and being named in the 2021 Ligue 1 Team of the Year.
