Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has shared his excitement following the acquisition of Mozambique international Reinildo Mandava.
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.
“We’ve had to be patient to finalise this transfer due to his involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup, but we’re delighted to welcome Reinildo to Wearside. We feel he’s an ideal profile for our full-back position and his experience is a perfect fit for our squad composition”
“He’s shown a real desire to join our Club throughout our discussions, and to be the first Mozambican to play in the Premier League. He’s highly motivated by this challenge and he has a personality I’m sure our supporters will connect with, so we are looking forward to welcoming him to Sunderland later this month.” He said.
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.
