Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor has revealed that a heartfelt phone call from manager Régis Le Bris was decisive in his decision to join the Black Cats. The 25-year-old French forward initially arrived on loan from Zenit St Petersburg last summer, and the move became permanent in January after he helped fire Sunderland to promotion.
In an interview with Le Parisien, Isidor explained how the conversation shaped his transfer:
“When coach Régis Le Bris called me, it lasted almost an hour and a half, and I didn’t hesitate for a single second! He was one of the main reasons I came here. He brings everyone along with him. We went back over why it didn’t happen at Lorient when we could have already worked together. He understood me completely.”
From loan signing to promotion hero
Sunderland paid €750,000 to bring Isidor in on loan for the 2024/25 season, and he quickly established himself as a key man in attack. He scored 12 goals and registered 2 assists in 43 Championship appearances, helping the Black Cats earn promotion via the play-offs.
His most memorable contribution came in the semi-finals, where he netted in a 2-1 win over Coventry City that secured Sunderland’s place at Wembley.
By January, Sunderland had seen enough to make his move permanent, and Isidor has since become their focal point in the Premier League.
Flying start in the Premier League
This season, Isidor has wasted no time making his mark in the top flight. He has scored 3 goals in his first 6 games of the 2025/26 campaign, including a crucial strike in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
| Stat (2025/26) | Wilson Isidor |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 6 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 0 |
source: Premier League stats – 25 September 2025
Isidor credited Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus for putting faith in him: “Kyril Louis-Dreyfus also brought me in to help the club get promoted to the Premier League. I’m very happy to have repaid his trust.”
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William says Isidor’s story highlights the importance of managerial trust:
“Players often talk about how one conversation can change their career. Isidor clearly felt understood by Régis Le Bris, and that connection is now paying off on the pitch. Sunderland’s survival hopes will rest heavily on his goals.”
He added: “At €750,000 initially, this could go down as one of the smartest deals in recent Championship-to-Premier League transfer stories.”
Key Insights
- Wilson Isidor joined Sunderland on loan from Zenit in 2024, later making the move permanent.
- Scored 12 goals in the Championship, including in the play-off semi-final vs Coventry.
- Says a 90-minute conversation with Régis Le Bris convinced him to join.
- Already has 3 goals in 6 Premier League games this season.
- Credits owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus for trusting him to lead Sunderland’s rise.
What’s Next for Isidor and Sunderland?
Isidor will continue to spearhead Sunderland’s attack as they look to secure survival in their first season back in the Premier League. With three goals already, he is proving himself capable of delivering at the highest level.
If his form continues, Isidor could establish himself not only as Sunderland’s talisman but as one of the bargains of recent Premier League seasons.
👉 Can Wilson Isidor’s goals keep Sunderland in the Premier League this season?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 27 Sep 2025 11:55
750K these days you get a pair of boots, he's doing very well so far at Sunderland. I've only seen the Aston Villa game, so not sure how he plays overal to be honest. But 3 out of 6 are good numbers
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