Official: Sassuolo buy Caleta-Car, loan Sulemana with €7m option
Quick summary
Sassuolo have officially signed defender Duje Caleta-Car on a permanent deal and brought in forward Kamal Sulemana on loan with a €7 million option to buy.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceSassuolo have officially signed Croatia international Duje Caleta-Car from Olympique Lyonnais and Atalanta midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana, releasing several other players.
The Neroverdi have been active on transfer deadline day and could still complete more deals before the cut-off point at 19.00 UK time (20.00 CEST).
Sassuolo sign two new players ORLANDO, FLORIDA – MARCH 31: Duje Caleta-Car of Croatia reacts during the international friendly match between Brazil and Croatia at Camping World Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) They officially bought defender Caleta-Car from Olympique Lyonnais for a nominal fee.
The centre-back turns 30 later this month and has previously also played for RB Salzburg, Southampton, Olympique Marseille and Real Sociedad.
Caleta-Car has 38 senior caps for Croatia, and was in the squad for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Ibrahim Sulemana signs the contract after joining Sassuolo from Atalanta, on loan with option to buy (sassuolocalcio.it) Sassuolo have also secured Atalanta midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season for a reported fee of €7m.
The Neroverdi have also officially sold Edoardo Iannoni to Hellas Verona.
Filippo Missori was loaned to Avellino with option to buy, with Tommaso Macchioni loaned to Carrarese and Kevin Miranda to Cerignola.
Fabrizio Caligara was sold to Catania, with Patrick Nuamah loaned to Sabadell FC with option to buy.
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What happened
Sassuolo have completed two moves on deadline day, announcing the permanent signing of centre-back Duje Caleta-Car and the loan arrival of winger Kamal Sulemana, who joins with a €7m purchase option. Caleta-Car arrives from Olympique de Marseille, where his playing time had been limited, bringing top-flight and European experience to the Neroverdi's back line. Sulemana, a pacey wide attacker, adds depth and creativity in the final third as Sassuolo look to reinforce their squad for their return to Serie A. The double swoop signals Sassuolo's intent to compete at the highest level of Italian football this season.
Chance analysis
Sassuolo have used the transfer window to address both ends of the pitch. Caleta-Car brings a physical, experienced centre-back to anchor a defence that will be tested in Serie A, while Sulemana offers a different profile out wide — direct, quick, and capable of beating his man. The loan-plus-option structure for Sulemana is smart business: it limits risk while preserving upside if the Ghanaian settles quickly. For a newly promoted side, this kind of deadline-day ambition is the difference between a relegation scrap and a comfortable mid-table campaign.
Sassuolo's defensive solidity and wide attacking threat both improve, boosting their outlook for the Serie A season ahead.