Sunderland fans give emotional farewell to Eliezer Mayenda
Sunderland fans gave a heartwarming and emotional farewell to departing star Eliezer Mayenda at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. The Spanish forward, who joined the Black Cats from Sochaux in 2023, was given a unique farewell as he prepares to start a new chapter at Rennes.
What happened?
Eliezer Mayenda, 21, was introduced as a second-half substitute in a pre-season friendly against Rennes, who suffered a 2-1 loss to the Black Cats. The Spanish forward was given a warm applause by the Sunderland fans as he warmed up on the pitch, and a brilliant response ensued as he made his way onto the pitch for the last 10 minutes of the match.
Why it matters for Sunderland
Mayenda's departure marks the end of an era for the Black Cats, who will miss his contributions on the pitch. The Spanish forward scored 12 goals and provided six assists in 72 outings across all competitions, and was instrumental in the club's promotion to the Premier League in 2024/25.
What comes next?
Sunderland now turn their attention to the first game of the Premier League season, as they travel to Portman Road to face a newly-promoted Ipswich Town on Saturday, August 22. The Black Cats are currently on a 4-game winning run, with 4 wins and 1 draw in their last 5 matches, and are looking to continue their momentum in the new season.
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way)
Sunderland finished 7th in the Premier League last season, with 54 points from 38 games, and are looking to improve on their performance in the new season. The Black Cats are currently 31 points behind leaders Arsenal, and will be looking to close the gap in the coming weeks.
Currently sidelined
Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete, and Thomas Meunier are currently sidelined for the Black Cats, and will be looking to return to action soon. Sunderland's next fixture is against Ipswich Town on August 22, and fans will be eagerly awaiting the team's return to action.
Image prompt
A photorealistic image of an anonymous 21-year-old player in a black and white kit, with a floodlight rim light and a shallow depth of field, as he warms up on the pitch at the Stadium of Light, with a crowd of fans in the background cheering him on.
