Chris Rigg, Trai Hume respond to Wilson Isidor’s ‘without you’ Sunderland message
Chris Rigg and Trai Hume have responded to Wilson Isidor’s emotional message after Sunderland clinched promotion to the Premier League.
Isidor appeared as a second-half substitute as the Mackems defeated Sheffield United 2-1 at Wembley in the Championship playoff final on Saturday, 24 May.
The Frenchman was a key player for Sunderland throughout the second-tier campaign, notching 12 goals in 43 league appearances.
Isidor went on to score an all-important goal when the Black Cats beat Coventry City 2-1 in the first leg of their playoff semi-final.
Rigg and Hume respond as Isidor shares emotional Sunderland message
After moving to Sunderland from Russian Premier League side Zenit St Petersburg, Isidor has acclimatised well to English football and will now hope to perform well in the top flight next term.
The striker celebrated Sunderland’s playoff triumph via Instagram [25 May] as he wrote: “Still floating on air since yesterday. Unforgettable moments to end an unforgettable season. We know how much it means to all of you, we couldn’t have made it without you. Couldn’t be prouder of this team and this club. We are Premier League.”
Chris Rigg commented with heart-eye emojis, while Trai Hume left two red hearts in the comments section.
Regis Le Bris could look to bolster Sunderland forward line
Isidor has performed well in the Championship, and his 12 goals in 43 second-tier appearances proved enough to guide the North East giants back to the Premier League.
Meanwhile, fellow forward Eliezer Mayenda managed a return of eight goals and five assists in 37 Championship outings, and proved particularly clinical in the playoffs with both the winning goal in the semi-final first leg tie with Coventry, as well as the equaliser against Sheffield United at Wembley.
| Wilson Isidor stats | 2024/25 Championship |
| Appearances | 43 |
| Goals | 12 |
| Assists | 2 |
But even though both Mayenda and Isidor have proven their worth at Championship level, Le Bris could look to use the summer transfer window to strengthen his forward line in preparation for next season’s Premier League.
The gulf in class between the top flight and the second tier has widened in recent years, as demonstrated by the fact that both this season and last campaign have seen all three newly promoted teams relegated back to the Championship, which is a fate Sunderland will strive to avoid.
Meanwhile, former Black Cats star Wes Brown told Mackem News how impressed he has been by the Stadium of Light faithful in recent weeks.