Enzo Le Fee has signed a new five year contract with Sunderland AFC until 2031 — news that’s naturally been met with joy across Wearside.
Today, we’re going to look back over the nineteen months since his arrival in the North East in January 2025, and discuss his top five moments in red and white, as well as some honourable mentions.
5. Middlesbrough (A): 3/2/2025
The trip to the Riverside Stadium is the first time we really saw what Le Fée could offer in a Sunderland shirt.
Playing on the left wing, he tortured Luke Ayling from
start to finish, with one particular highlight being a fabulous flick through the defender’s legs on halfway. He also picked up an assist in this game, playing the ball in behind for Wilson Isidor who then rounded Mark Travers and tapped into an open net to put Sunderland 2-1 up.
Le Fee also created the winner with an excellent first touch to knock the ball down the line, and a whipped cross that bounced off Ryan Giles and into the back of the net.
A first view of the true quality he possesses and a match that made the Championship wonder “How have Sunderland signed him”?
4. Everton (A): 10/1/2026 & 17/5/2026
Sunderland’s first visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium came in the FA Cup third round last season.
The Lads came into this game on the back of a 3-0 loss at Brentford the week before, couple with ‘that’ Panenka miss by the man of the moment himself. Noah Sadiki returned from AFCON duty in this game and it felt like a chance to pick up form again with a good result.
Half an hour in, Sunderland had a long throw taken by Nordi Mukiele. The ball landed at Eliezer Mayenda’s feet, who flicked the ball up for Le Fée to volley into the far corner past Jordan Pickford.
Le Fée also took the first penalty in the shootout that followed the 1-1 draw, calmly slotting home to truly redeem himself for the poor penalty against the Bees with a goal and penalty that, along with Robin Roefs’ goalkeeping masterclass, put Sunderland in the hat for the fourth round in what resulted in our longest run in the competition since 2015.
Later in the season, when Sunderland turned up on the banks of the Mersey for the penultimate game of the season, Le Fée was crucial in giving Sunderland the opportunity to clinch European football against Chelsea on the final day.
He registered the assist for Brian Brobbey’s equaliser with a brilliant through ball before giving the Lads’ the lead twenty minutes later with a left-footed finish, and producing the synonymous Spider-Man mask celebration.
One of the most important results of our season, and so much of it down to our French wizard.
3. Coventry City (H): 13/5/2025
No article about Le Fee would be complete without mentioning that playoff semi-final at home to Coventry.
Fresh off an assist for Wilson Isidor’s opener at the CBS Arena, Le Fée had a fairly subdued game by his standards, focussing more on defensive work as Sunderland fought to protect their lead before conceding to Ephram Mason-Clark in the second half.
Then came the moment.
The 121st minute, the final opportunity before penalties, a corner to Sunderland. Le Fée gave the ball a kiss before placing it down and proceeding to whip in an absolute pearler onto the head of Dan Ballard which sent the Stadium of Light into raptures.
It was a noise that I’m not sure we’ll ever hear on Wearside again. Not just a magic touch, but a magic kiss from Le Fée.
2. Newcastle United (A): 5/12/2025 & 22/3/2026
We have to mention beating the Mags, don’t we?
Twice, I might add, and Le Fée managed to embarrass Lewis Hall both home and away, quite akin to Régis Le Bris tactically embarrassing Eddie Howe on each occasion, but enough rage-baiting any obsessed Mags reading this, because we know you’re there.
During the home tie in December 2025, with Sunderland 1-0 up, Le Fée decided to have a bit of fun with Hall.
After selling him a couple of Cruyff turns, he waited for Hall to get back into position before sliding the ball through his legs and in behind for Trai Hume — a moment that the Premier League’s official account couldn’t wait to post on TikTok to their global audience.
Then, in the ninetieth minute at St James’ Park with the score 1-1, Le Fee was played in behind the defence by Noah Sadiki.
He waited for movement from Brian Brobbey before sliding a perfect pass to the Dutchman, once again nutmegging Hall in the process, as well as ‘Big Dan Burn’ — apparently being from Blyth doesn’t mean you won’t beat him if you’re a silky Frenchman from Brittany.
In all seriousness, Hall must still have nightmares about Le Fée to this day, and I for one can’t wait to see the nutmeg run continue at their place in December.
Honourable mentions
There are a number of honourable mentions for Le Fée’s best moments in a Sunderland shirt.
The first goal against Oxford at the Stadium of Light, penalties against Brentford (x2), Bournemouth and Fulham, and the assist for the winner against Chelsea that took us to Europe, to name a few.
One that may not get mentioned, however, is the failed Panenka at Brentford last season, and although this was a horrendous moment for Le Fée and for all of us watching, I firmly believe it helped him to step up even further and take himself to the level we’re currently seeing.
A moment that could be looked back on as the making of Le Fée based on how he reacted at Everton the week after, and at Brentford again this season when he put the ball past Caoimhín Kelleher to equalise.
1. AZ Alkmaar (H): 16/9/2026
Could anything else really be number one?
Not a lot needs to be said with it being so fresh in the memory, but in a game where it felt at times like the ball was allergic to the back of the net, it took a Le Fée penalty to give Sunderland their first European goal and first European win in over fifty years.
An ideal start and a fantastic base to build on as we look to progress deep into the Europa League, and if that’s going to happen, Le Fée needs to be at his best, which I have no doubt he will be. What a moment for the player, the club and for all of us fans.
What a journey it’s been for Le Fée and Sunderland in the last year and a half.
From Bristol City fans telling us that “Jason Knight is better” and Coventry City fans telling us he could not compare to “£50m Jack Rudoni”to the brink of the France squad, European football, and fresh off the back of running a Manchester City defence ragged, all that can be said is “Enjoy Enzo while we can. Players like this don’t come around often, and we are so lucky to have tied him down for another five years.”
What’s your favourite Le Fée moment? Are there any we missed? Let us know!
