Sunderland sign Didier Ndong from Lorient

Gabonese global midfield dynamo Didier Ndong signed for Premier League side Sunderland from French outfit Lorient on Wednesday for a club record fee of £13.6 million (16 million euros, $17.8m).

Ndong, a powerful box-to-box central midfielder player, becomes David Moyes sixth signing this summer.

Ndong, who is now on global duty with Gabon, completed his medical in Geneva, joining the Black Cats on a five-year deal.

Ndong, who has 18 caps for Gabon, told Sunderland’s official website: “I am very proud and happy to sign for Sunderland”.

Ndong will arrive at a Sunderland side still looking for their first win of the new Premier League season. It will be an honour to wear the Sunderland shirt and I will wear it with a true understanding of what it means.

Yann M’Vila will join Sunderland – after being left out of Rubin Kazan’s squad for the new season.

Sunderland are refusing to pay £7m for the midfielders immediate release.

N’dong joins Sunderland from Ligue 1 outfit Lorient and the Gabon worldwide is already at his new club completing a medical.

The 22-year-old has won 18 caps at worldwide level for Gabon since making his debut for the African country in 2012.

Sunderland smashed their club record transfer fee, but efforts to sign a much-needed striker and goalkeeper on deadline day failed.

And earlier in the day Moyes saw moves fall through for two of his former Everton players, Steven Naismith and John Ruddy, who now play for Championship side Norwich City.