Norwich have signed 18-year-old right-back Bali Mumba from Sunderland for £350K, with the fee potentially rising to £750K based on add-ons.
The England under-19 international joins The Canaries on a four-year-deal and will be part of Daniel Farke’s first-team squad ahead of the 2020/21 Championship season.
Mumba made his Sunderland debut aged just 16. He replaced John O’Shea as captain coming off the bench during a 3-0 home win against Wolves, becoming the club’s youngest ever player.
He started in Jack Ross’ first home match as manager when Sunderland beat Charlton 2-1 at the Stadium of Light, receiving praise from many media pundits for his quality performance at such a young age.
Speaking about the transfer, Mumba told canaries.co.uk:
“It feels very good and I’m raring to go.
The club is big with a good history behind it and I’m looking forward to getting started so I can show everyone around the club what I can do.
Fans can expect hard work and 100 percent in all that I do. I believe I’m a positive person with a good energy.
I’ve watched Max Aarons and Jamal Lewis a lot. I’ve seen how they’ve progressed through the system and have continued to develop and that’s exactly what I’m hoping to replicate.”
The academy graduate was entering the last year of his current contract and could of left on a smaller compensation package in July 2021 should a new contract not have been agreed.
Mumba enjoyed a productive loan spell at South Shields last season, where he scored two goals in three matches, aiding the club to extend their lead at the top of the Northern Premier League table before the season was curtailed.
His last Sunderland appearance came during a 3-2 victory against Grimsby in the EFL Trophy - Mumba was not used by current manager Phil Parkinson.
The 18-year-old made ten appearances during his spell with Sunderland overall and joins the long list of young prospects, including Josh Maja and Joel Asoro, to be sold during Stewart Donald’s ownership tenure.
No information regarding a sell-on clause has emerged as of yet.