World Cup veteran Thomas Meunier joins Sunderland ahead of Europa League campaign

LONDON (AP) — World Cup veteran Thomas Meunier joined Sunderland on Wednesday ahead of the English club’s first European campaign for 53 years.

The 34-year-old Belgium defender was a free agent after playing at his third straight World Cup. His contract at Lille expired during the tournament.

Sunderland said Meunier, who previously played for Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund, signed a two-year contract.

Newly promoted Sunderland was widely forecast to be relegated last season yet placed seventh to qualify for the Europa League. Sunderland previously played in the European Cup-Winners’ Cup in 1973 after a storied FA Cup title as a second-tier team.

Sunderland players carried their good form into the World Cup with captain Granit Xhaka impressing for Switzerland, Brian Brobbey scoring three goals for the Netherlands and Wilson Isidor scoring for Haiti.

Meunier is the third Belgium player to join a new club since a World Cup quarterfinals loss against Spain last Friday. Youri Tielemans moved to Manchester United from Aston Villa and Leandro Trossard left Arsenal for Besiktas.

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