Celtic have been interested in signing the former JC Abidjan’s right winger since 2025 and were willing to splash the cash for the hot West African.
Djiamgone Jocelin Ta Bi, 20, moved to Israel in the 2023-24 season when he signed for Beitar Tubruk. Maccabi Netanya, a season later, signed Ta Bi and quickly loaned him to Petah Tikva before returning to the parent club Netanya.
Ta Bi, after hugely impressing in the first half of the 2025-26 season, was quickly snapped up by Sunderland from the Israeli side.
The Black Cats on Friday agreed a deal to sign the Ivorian winger on a deal worth £3.5 million, signing a five-year contract.
Reports say Scottish champions Celtic from Glasgow had agreed a deal for the youngster, but the English club hijacked the deal.
Ta Bi becomes the 17th player at Sunderland with African roots, with fellow countryman Simon Adingra also signing for the newly promoted side in the 2025 summer transfer window.
The club provided six players for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with Habib Diarra (Senegal), Noah Sadiki and Arthur Masuaku (both Congo D.R.), Reinildo Mandava (Mozambique), Betrand Traoré (Burkina Faso) and Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco) – all taking part in the competition.
