Besiktas have paid Sunderland a further €1 million (£853,000) as part of their 2018 deal for winger Jeremain Lens, according to a report from Turkish outlet Fotospor. 

The Dutchman joined the Black Cats in 2015 in a £12 million move from Dynamo Kyiv but made just 24 appearances for the League One club – spending much of his time on their books out on loan.

After spending the 2017/18 campaign on loan with Besiktas, Lens joined the Turkish club permanently in 2018 in a reported £6 million deal, which was broken down into installments.

A report from Fotospor has revealed that Besiktas have notified UEFA that they have paid Sunderland a further £853,000 as part of their 2018 deal for the 33-year-old.

UEFA are also understood to have been informed by the Turkish side of repayments to Tottenham and other clubs.

Lens has notched up more than 100 appearances for Besiktas but has spent the second half of the 2020/21 campaign on loan with Turkish Super Lig side Fatih Karagümrük.

The Verdict 

Though it's not huge money, this will surely be a boost for Sunderland and new owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus ahead of a summer that could well be a very busy one.

It will be the new owner's first in charge of the Black Cats, with the League One salary cap now lifted and the North East club hoping to be preparing for life in the Championship.

Lens' move to Sunderland didn't work out and though they ultimately lost money despite selling him on to Besiktas, it'll likely please fans to know that his sale will likely benefit the new era under Louis-Dreyfus.