Former Hibs player finalizes a lucrative transfer as Easter Road’s challenges lead to a £22m summer deal.

A former Hibernian loanee has completed one of the biggest transfers of the summer, putting behind him a disappointing spell at Easter Road by securing a reported £22 million move to one of France’s leading clubs. Eliezer Mayenda has officially left Sunderland to join Ligue 1 side Rennes, marking another major step in a career that has gathered significant momentum since returning from Scotland.

Mayenda’s brief time with Hibs did not unfold as many had anticipated. The Spanish forward arrived at Easter Road on loan from Sunderland in January 2024 alongside fellow Black Cats player Nectar Triantis. While Triantis established himself as a key figure during what eventually became an 18-month stay in Edinburgh, Mayenda struggled to make a similar impact. His loan spell was cut short after making only four appearances before returning to his parent club.

Despite failing to make his mark in Scotland, Mayenda used the experience as motivation to improve. Back at Sunderland, he worked hard to establish himself within the first-team squad and gradually became an increasingly influential figure. His determination eventually paid off as he played a significant role in helping the Wearside club achieve promotion back to the Premier League in 2025.

Although his involvement reduced as Sunderland’s return to the top flight progressed, his overall contribution remained highly valued by the club. His performances attracted attention from clubs across Europe, and Rennes ultimately secured his signature in a deal reported by transfer journalist Ben Jacobs to be worth around £22 million.

Sunderland confirmed the transfer in an official statement, announcing that Mayenda had completed a permanent move to the French club. The club reflected on the striker’s three-year spell at the Stadium of Light, highlighting both his development and his important contributions during his time on Wearside.

Chris Cadden, Josh Campbell and Eliezer Mayenda during a Hibernian training session | SNS Group

During those three seasons, Mayenda made a total of 72 appearances across all competitions. He scored 12 goals while also contributing six assists, numbers that reflected his steady progression as a young attacking player. While his statistics alone told part of the story, Sunderland emphasized the importance of several decisive moments that cemented his place in the club’s recent history.

One of the standout periods of Mayenda’s Sunderland career came during the promotion-winning campaign of 2024-25. He scored the winning goal in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final against Coventry City, giving Sunderland a crucial advantage heading into the decisive return fixture.

He then delivered another memorable contribution in the play-off final at Wembley against Sheffield United. Mayenda found the equaliser during Sunderland’s victory, helping the Black Cats complete their return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence from English football’s top division. Those goals ensured his name would forever be associated with one of the club’s most important modern achievements.

Supporters quickly developed a strong affection for the young striker, giving him the nickname “Big Man.” The Spain Under-21 international continued to reward that support after Sunderland secured promotion. He scored the club’s opening Premier League goal following their return to the top flight, finding the net during an impressive 3-0 victory over West Ham United on the opening day of the campaign.

That early success helped launch a season that exceeded expectations. Sunderland not only preserved their Premier League status but ultimately finished strongly enough to qualify for the UEFA Europa League, making it another memorable chapter in the club’s resurgence.

In announcing his departure, Sunderland thanked Mayenda for everything he had contributed during his time at the club. Officials wished him every success in the next phase of his career as he prepares to test himself in Ligue 1 with Rennes.

Mayenda also took to social media to bid an emotional farewell to everyone connected with Sunderland. Reflecting on his journey, he admitted that leaving the club was far from easy because of the special memories he had created over the previous three years.

He recalled arriving as a young footballer with ambitious dreams and explained that he now leaves with unforgettable experiences that will remain with him throughout his life. Wearing the Sunderland shirt, sharing memorable moments with teammates and experiencing the unforgettable promotion celebrations at Wembley were among the highlights he said he would always cherish.

The striker paid special tribute to Sunderland chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, thanking him for believing in his potential and providing the opportunity to join such a historic football club. Mayenda expressed his gratitude for the trust shown in him from the moment he arrived and acknowledged how significant that opportunity had been in shaping his career.

He also thanked his teammates, coaches and every member of staff behind the scenes, recognising the collective effort required to make Sunderland the club it has become. According to Mayenda, everyone associated with the organisation played an important role in creating an environment where he could continue developing as both a footballer and a person.

Perhaps his most heartfelt message was reserved for the supporters. He explained that the fans believed in him from the very beginning and continued to back him through every stage of his Sunderland journey. Their unwavering encouragement helped him grow in confidence and inspired many of his best performances.

Mayenda said he arrived simply as Eliezer but leaves carrying the nickname “Big Man,” a title he considers a lasting symbol of the connection he built with the Sunderland faithful. He pledged to treasure that identity for the rest of his career.

The Spanish forward added that the true meaning of the phrase “Sunderland ’Til I Die” can only be understood by experiencing life at the club firsthand. He believes his years on Wearside changed him both professionally and personally and insisted Sunderland will always remain part of who he is, regardless of where his career takes him next.

For Hibernian supporters, Mayenda’s remarkable rise serves as a reminder that early struggles do not always define a player’s future. His difficult loan spell at Easter Road now feels like a distant memory after progressing from an unsuccessful stint in Scotland to becoming a Premier League promotion hero and ultimately completing a reported £22 million transfer to Rennes, where he will now look to continue his impressive development on another major European stage.