Sunderland signed Robin Roefs from NEC Nijmegen in the summer
The Dutchman has been an ever-present in the Premier League this season
Peter Schmeichel says he could be "one of the buys of the season"
Sunderland have impressed on their long-awaited return to the Premier League and a big reason for their success has been the performances of goalkeeper Robin Roefs.
The Black Cats paid NEC Nijmegen around £10million plus add-ons for the 23-year-old Dutchman, who penned a five-year contract, and his eye-catching displays in between the sticks have reportedly caught the attention of other clubs.
It was a big call from the Sunderland management to bring in a new shop-stopper, as Anthony Patterson had held the number one shirt since the 2021-22 campaign and had helped get the club from League One to the top flight.
The 25-year-old Englishman has been forced to play second fiddle to Roefs this term and there are rumours linking him with a move away from the Stadium of Light this month, with several Championship clubs keeping tabs on his situation.
Roefs proving his worth
Roefs has settled into life quickly in the north east and he has managed to keep seven clean sheets in the Premier League, leaving just David Raya (11), Robert Sanchez (9), Jordan Pickford (9), Gianluigi Donnarumma (8) and Dean Henderson (8) ahead of him in this department.
The Dutch ace has also made 74 saves – 48 of those coming inside the area – to leave Burnley's Martin Dubravka as the only keeper to have made more stops this season.
Roefs endeared himself further to the Sunderland fanbase when saving all three Everton penalties in the recent FA Cup third-round tie to send Black Cats into the fourth round of the competition.
It has been quite the story for the Dutch U21 international, who was a key figure in his country reaching the semi-finals of the 2025 European U21 Championship semi-finals, and he is on course for making club history.
History to be made?
Sunderland's clean sheet record in the Premier League stands at 13 from the 2014-15 campaign, which means the Black Cats have 16 matches left to try and record seven shutouts.
Roefs' performances have been so impressive that former Manchester United stopper Peter Schmeichel, who is regarded as one of the greatest keepers of all time, has showered him with praise.
During a punditry appearance for Viaplay, the Dane said after Sunderland's 1-0 win over rivals Newcastle in December: "Robin Roefs. He looks fantastic. He looks so calm. Honestly, that pressure they are under – he came out for crosses, he was a little bit unlucky with the last bit there, where he fell open – but he was so calm all the way throughout the game.
"He was brilliant on the ball, and when he needed to come out for crosses he did. He took that pressure off the defence.
"I am impressed by him. He has played every game. £10million they paid. He might just end up being one of the buys of the season."
Ninth-placed Sunderland return to action on Saturday when they travel to relegation-threatened West Ham, who lost 3-0 at the Stadium of Light on the opening weekend of the season.
