Sunderland‘s Simon Adingra is yet to showcase his qualities at Ajax since joining them on loan in September.
The winger didn’t get regular game time at Brighton & Hove Albion during the 2024/25 season. That didn’t stop the Black Cats from signing him in July 2025.
His situation didn’t improve at Sunderland as he played 729 minutes from 15 matches, managing a goal and an assist. In February, Régis Le Bris’ side sent him on loan to AS Monaco, where he had a good run.
The Ivory Coast international managed three goals and two assists in 17 matches, but that wasn’t enough for the Ligue 1 side to make his stay permanent.
Adingra returned to the Stadium of Light where he wasn’t part of Le Bris’ core plans this season. Therefore, the English club sent him on loan to the Eredivisie side.
Injuries bothering Sunderland man
The 24-year-old was excited about his transfer to Ajax but struggled with an ankle injury when he moved to the Netherlands. This meant he waited until October 10th to make his debut for the Dutch club in their 1-1 draw against NEC Nijmegen.
Simon Adingra then suffered another setback and is still on the sidelines. Besides the Sunderland man, Ajax manager Míchel has Oliver Edvardsen as another recognised left winger.
He’s also out of action with an injury, forcing the Spaniard to rely upon Abdellah Ouazane for the left-wing position.
Algemeen Dagblad journalist Johan Inan, who covers Ajax, talked about the Sunderland owned player’s situation for AD Voetbalpodcast and Ajax.Supporters.nl have relayed his comments.
Big concern over Sunderland attacker
Ajax have secured a purchase option with Sunderland. De Telegraaf earlier reported they will pay €3.8m in loan fee and salary, and the buying option will be around €16m.
Johan Inan insists that the Amsterdam club are likely to sign a new left winger in January and raises doubts over Simon Adingra’s long-term stay. The expectation is for him to only return from injury after November’s international break.
“That [purchase option] is actually set too high as well. By then you are already mid-November, so you are already heading towards the winter break,” he said.
“On the wings, things aren’t exactly great at the moment. The left-wing position is perhaps the spot Ajax can best strengthen this coming winter.”
“The fact that Ajax did not make any major transfers in the final week of the transfer window but instead relied mainly on loan players and free agents, was of course not without reason. In the dream scenario, Míchel will soon be joined by a very good left winger with depth. He talks about that often as well.”
Barring a surprise, Adingra is likely to return to Sunderland after this season, where he has a contract until 2030.
