Sassuolo Secures Ibrahim Sulemana Loan Deal

Italian Serie A side Sassuolo have completed the signing of Ghanaian midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana on a season-long loan from Atalanta, with an option to make the move permanent.

The 23-year-old completed the transfer on deadline day and will remain at Sassuolo until the end of the 2026/27 season. The newly promoted club have the option to sign the defensive midfielder permanently, with a deal that could extend his stay for a further three years.

Sulemana’s move ensures he remains in Italy’s top flight after spending last season on loan at Bologna and Cagliari.

The Sunyani-born midfielder started the 2025/26 campaign at Bologna before returning to his parent club, Atalanta, in January. He subsequently joined Cagliari for the second half of the season, making 16 appearances and scoring one goal.

The latest transfer will see Sulemana represent his fifth Italian club in five years, having previously played for Hellas Verona, Cagliari, Atalanta and Bologna.

Atalanta signed Sulemana permanently from Cagliari in July 2024 for €7.4m. He had earlier progressed through Hellas Verona’s youth academy before moving to Cagliari.

Sulemana, who has earned seven caps for Ghana, made his Black Stars debut in June 2024 against Mali. He will now seek regular playing time at Sassuolo as he aims to strengthen his chances of returning to the national team after missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.