Sunderland’s sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has confirmed that the decision to loan out Pierre Ekwah was based on his lack of game time. The Black Cats were busy in the summer transfer window under manager Regis Le Bris, with 10 new players joining the squad. This influx of signings pushed some of last year’s regular players to the fringes, including Ekwah.
As a result, Ekwah dropped down the pecking order and was subject to speculation about a potential move away from the club. Eventually, Saint-Etienne secured his services on a season-long loan deal. Speakman explained that the decision was made based on Ekwah’s limited minutes on the field.
With the midfield ranks changing under Le Bris, Ekwah faced a slim chance of getting playing time at Sunderland. Despite his solid performances in the past, the arrival of new players like Salis Abdul Samed, Alan Browne, and Milan Aleksic, along with the emergence of Chris Rigg and the presence of team captain Dan Neil, made it difficult for Ekwah to secure a spot in the squad.
Now, Ekwah will look to continue his development in France with Saint-Etienne. While he has yet to make his debut for the club, he is expected to be available for selection in their upcoming match against LOSC Lille. The midfielder will aim to help his new team improve on their poor start to the season and make an impact on the pitch.
