Official: Ex-Roma executive Ghisolfi appointed Sunderland director of football

Former Roma sporting director Florent Ghisolfi has recently been confirmed as the new director of football for newly-promoted Premier League side Sunderland. 

Official: Ghisolfi joins Sunderland after Roma stint

Ghisolfi spent the 2024-25 season with Roma, but his tenure lasted just one year, and was let go at the end of the campaign and has since been replaced by Frederic Massara. 

Sunderland have confirmed that Ghisolfi will officially commence his duties in charge on Thursday, July 3. 

Among Ghisolfi’s signings at Roma was that of Enzo Le Fee, who was signed in the summer of 2024 and then allowed to leave for Sunderland on loan with an option to buy during the winter transfer session. An obligation to buy clause was triggered after Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League, which means the pair will reunite for the 2025-26 season on Tyneside. 

Also included among Ghisolfi’s Roma signings were Artem Dovbyk from Girona, Matias Soule from Juventus and Manu Kone from Borussia Moenchengladbach. 

“The Club – players, staff, and supporters – achieved an amazing result last season. Together, these people brought Sunderland back to the Premier League, and I’m strongly determined to bring my experience and support this group to ensure the squad is ready to take the next step,” Ghisolfi said about his move to Sunderland in a statement on the club website.  

“This is an exciting challenge, and I’m looking forward to working alongside Kyril, Kristjaan, and Régis, as we enjoy this exciting new chapter in Sunderland’s history, alongside our fans.”