Sunderland Seal £10m Move For Omar Alderete From Getafe

Sunderland have agreed on a £10m deal to sign Paraguay centre-back Omar Alderete from Getafe, with a contract until June 2029.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Sunderland reached a deal with Getafe for Alderete, worth around €13m including add-ons. The defender will travel to England to complete formalities before being unveiled. Reports in Spain say the deal has €12m plus €1m in bonuses, matching a £10m headline fee in the UK. Alderete, 28, leaves after a solid season under José Bordalás, and is expected to slot straight into Sunderland’s back line.

WHY SUNDERLAND MOVED

Sunderland, having recently secured promotion to the Premier League through the 2024 Championship play-offs, prioritised an experienced, left-footed centre-back to balance their defence. Alderete brings aerial strength, physical presence, and no-nonsense defending, with enough ball-carrying ability to help build up play when needed. The club fended off interest from Crystal Palace and Bournemouth after making significant progress last week, and pushed the deal over the line before the opening matchday.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Getafe finished 13th in La Liga last season and needed sales to fund reinforcements, having also banked a major fee for Gastón Álvarez the previous summer. Losing Alderete is a blow, but the Madrid club can now accelerate their recruitment. For Sunderland, this signing adds top-flight experience as they aim to secure safety in their first season back in the Premier League.

ALDERETE’S RECENT FORM

Alderete, a Paraguay international, built his career across South America and Europe, with spells at Huracán, Basel, Hertha BSC, and Valencia before joining Getafe. Analysts highlight his dominance in duels and set-piece defending, while noting he is more of a stopper than a playmaker. That profile suits Sunderland’s expected defensive workload against Premier League attacks.

WHAT NEXT?

Alderete is expected to undergo a medical and join training immediately, aiming to be available for Sunderland’s Premier League opener against West Ham next weekend if registration is completed in time. Sunderland’s early-season target is clear: establish defensive stability and keep pace with the pack. As a promoted side, they will measure progress against teams just above them, while staying clear of the bottom three in the opening weeks.

FIXTURES AND IMPLICATIONS

Sunderland’s first month will be crucial to set the tone of their campaign. Facing direct rivals in the lower half could quickly shape the table around them. Alderete’s integration speed, communication at the back, and set-piece impact will be central to early results and to edging points that separate safety from the drop.