Frederik Alves has signed for Sunderland AFC on a season-long loan.
The centre back, who moves to the Stadium of Light from Premier League side West Ham United, becomes the club’s fifth signing of the summer transfer window.
Born in Denmark, where he spent the majority of his youth career, the 21-year-old enjoyed two years in Brazil between 2015 and 2017 before returning to Denmark to sign for Silkeborg IF.
Alves made 18 first-team appearances during the 2018-19 season as Silkeborg won the second-tier title, whilst featuring 16 times following the club’s return to the Danish Superliga.
After making 50 senior appearances, the defender touched down in London in January 2021, joining West Ham for an undisclosed fee and signing a three-and-a-half-year deal.
Alves has also featured for Denmark at youth level, earning three caps for the Under-20s and five for the Under-21s, representing the latter at this summer’s UEFA European Under-21 Championships.
Following his arrival, Alves said: “It feels very good to be here and I’m looking forward to learning the English style of play and playing matches, so I’m very excited to get started. The Sunderland fans can expect a football playing centre back – I like to play football a lot – but I’m also a physical player. I will do everything I can to help the club and I’m ready to give one hundred percent.”
Lee Johnson added: “Frederik is a player that we have followed closely throughout the past six months, so we are delighted to welcome him to the club. He’s a high-quality footballer, and an Under-21 international, and this is a great opportunity for him to continue his development at senior level, having experienced regular first-team action during his time in Denmark. He is good on the ball, tall and mobile and we now have real strength in depth in central defence.”