In partnership with
Paraguayan Defender Joins from Getafe
Sunderland AFC have agreed a £10 million transfer to sign Omar Alderete from Spanish side Getafe, with an additional £900,000 in add-ons. The 28-year-old Paraguay international is expected to sign a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light after completing his medical.
Alderete’s arrival adds a much-needed left-footed centre-back to manager Régis Le Bris’ squad as Sunderland prepare for their first Premier League campaign since 2016-17.
Looking for unbiased, fact-based news? Join 1440 today.
Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.
Alderete’s Career Path and Playing Style
Alderete began his career at Cerro Porteño in Paraguay before moving to Argentina with Gimnasia and Huracán. His European breakthrough came with FC Basel in 2019, where he impressed in domestic and European competitions.
He then joined Hertha BSC in the Bundesliga, spending the 2021-22 season on loan at Valencia. There, he made 29 La Liga appearances and scored twice, earning praise for his aerial dominance and passing ability.
In 2022, he moved to Getafe, amassing over 100 appearances. Internationally, Alderete has won 29 caps for Paraguay, scoring three goals.
Standing at 1.88m, he is known for aggressive defending, strength in the air, and composure on the ball. His left-footed profile offers Sunderland better balance in central defence.
Return to the Premier League
Sunderland’s road back to the top flight has been long. After relegation in 2017 and four seasons in League One, they returned to the Championship in 2022. Last season, Le Bris guided them to promotion via the play-offs, defeating Sheffield United 2-1 at Wembley thanks to late goals from Eliezer Mayenda and academy graduate Tom Watson.
It was a remarkable achievement for a side with the youngest squad ever to contest the Championship play-offs, built on a fearless, attacking approach.
Ambitious Summer Spending
Alderete is Sunderland’s 11th signing of the summer, taking their transfer spend to around £132 million – one of the biggest outlays by a promoted side in Premier League history.
Key arrivals include:
Granit Xhaka – Former Arsenal captain, signed from Bayer Leverkusen for leadership and top-flight experience.
Simon Adingra – Pace and flair from the former Brighton winger, signed for £21 million.
Habib Diarra – Club-record £30 million signing from Strasbourg, bringing midfield dynamism.
Enzo Le Fée – Creative midfielder secured permanently after a strong loan.
These arrivals have been offset by departures, most notably Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund and Tom Watson to Brighton, generating around £37 million.
How Sunderland Compare to Other Promoted Clubs
Sunderland’s rivals Burnley and Leeds United have also been active in the market, but with different strategies.
Burnley have focused on defensive reinforcements after losing key players, bringing in Kyle Walker and Axel Tuanzebe. Their spending has been more modest, targeting experience and depth rather than a full overhaul.
Leeds United have prioritised physicality, signing tall, powerful players such as Jaka Bijol and Anton Stach. Manager Daniel Farke is still seeking attacking reinforcements.
By contrast, Sunderland have blended experience with youth, aiming to build a squad capable of not just surviving but establishing themselves in the Premier League.
The Survival Challenge
History shows how tough it is for newly promoted teams. In each of the last two seasons, all three promoted sides were relegated – a Premier League first. Last season’s trio managed just 59 points combined, the lowest total ever for newcomers.
The gap between the Championship and Premier League continues to widen, with promoted sides now averaging less than a point per game. It’s a trend Sunderland will need to defy if they are to avoid the drop.
Le Bris’ approach is expected to be pragmatic – solid defensively, with quick transitions to exploit the pace of players like Adingra. The leadership of Xhaka and the solidity of Alderete could be decisive.
A Statement of Intent
Alderete’s signing is another example of Sunderland’s bold approach this summer. It signals they are not content simply to make up the numbers in the top flight. With a passionate fanbase behind them and significant investment on the pitch, the Black Cats are aiming to not just survive, but thrive.
Their opening fixture, at home to West Ham United, will be the first real test of whether this ambitious rebuild can deliver results.