Sunderland outcast set to return as loan club make future decision after disciplinary issue
A decision has reportedly been taken over a Sunderland forward currently spending time out on loan.
Sunderland forward Hemir will reportedly return to the club this summer after Portuguese club Moreirense opted against triggering a permanent option in the loan deal they agreed with the Black Cats last summer.
The Portugal Under-20 international made 24 senior appearances for Sunderland after joining them from Benfica during the summer of 2023 and spent the vast majority of last season on loan within the ‘B team’ set-up at Serie A giants Juventus. With first-team football remaining out of reach on Wearside, Hemir returned to his home country when a season-long loan deal was agreed with Moreirense in the final week of last summer’s transfer window and he has experienced mixed fortunes during his time with Os verdes e Brancos.
Speaking when the move was confirmed, now-former Black Cats sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: “Throughout the summer, we have been searching to identify the best loan opportunity for Hemir. We feel this is the right club and environment for him to take the next step in his career, and we wish him well for the season ahead.”
The Echo has launched a new WhatsApp SAFC Channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click this link to join our SAFC WhatsApp channel.
After making his debut in a 2-0 win at Arouca in November, Hemir grabbed his first goal for his temporary employers in a 3-3 draw with Estoril on his fourth appearance - but that is one of only two goals he has scored throughout the season after he also found the net in a 1-1 draw with Nacional last month. The 22-year-old has been an unused substitute in two of Moreirense’s last two league fixtures and only appeared as a late substitute in a 4-1 defeat against Jose Mourinho’s Benfica last weekend.
As per Sport Witness, Portuguese news outlet O Jogo have now claimed Moreirense are ‘unconvinced’ by the versatile forward and the impact he has made during his time at the club and have now decided against triggering an option to convert the loan move into a permanent switch this summer. That follows on from previous reports suggesting Hemir was left as an unused substitute in a 3-0 defeat at Porto due to what another news outlet, A Bola, described as ‘inappropriate behaviour’ prior to the game.
Your next Sunderland read: Régis Le Bris answers 'second-season syndrome' question and hints at big Sunderland plans