Gilles Sunu’s career is a story of untapped potential, continental hops, and quiet resilience. Once hailed as a future star at Arsenal, the French-Togolese winger carved a unique path through Europe’s leagues.
Let’s break down his life, career stats, and current status.
Gilles Sunu’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gilles Christ Sunu |
| Born | March 30, 1991 (Châteauroux, France) |
| Age | 34 years old |
| Nationality | French / Togolese (dual citizenship) |
| Height | 1.83 m (6’0”) |
| Turned Pro | 2010 (Arsenal debut) |
| Religion | – |
| College | No formal college education; trained at Arsenal’s academy |
| Net Worth | Estimated €1 million |
| Salary | Unemployed |
| Spouse | Not married |
| Children | Unknown |
| @gillessunu (2.6K followers) |
Early Career
Gilles Sunu kicked off his football journey at LB Châteauroux’s youth academy in France.
His raw speed and technical flair caught Arsenal’s eye, leading to a €1 million move in 2007 at age 16. Sunu thrived in Arsenal’s youth setup, winning the FA Youth Cup and Premier Academy League double in 2009.
Teammates like Jack Wilshere and Henri Lansbury tipped him for stardom.
Professional Career
Sunu’s senior career never hit the heights expected. He debuted for Arsenal in 2009 but made just 2 appearances.
Loans to Derby County (2010) and Lorient (2011) followed, where flashes of brilliance—like a Champions League assist against Olympiacos—weren’t enough to secure a starting role.
After leaving Arsenal in 2011, he became a Ligue 1 journeyman: 76 games for Lorient, a stint at Évian, and three seasons with Angers. Later moves took him to Turkey (BB Erzurumspor) and back to France (Châteauroux).
Despite versatility as a winger or forward, inconsistency and injuries plagued his trajectory. He’s clubless after leaving Châteauroux in 2023.
Gilles Sunu’s Net Worth Details
Gilles Sunu’s net worth is estimated to be €1 million as of 2025, built from 13+ years of pro contracts.
While modest compared to Premier League stars, it reflects steady earnings in France’s Ligue 1 and Turkey’s Süper Lig. His market value today? Just €0.3 million (Transfermarkt, 2025).
Contract
| Club | Duration | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Châteauroux | 2020–2023 | Expired |
| Current | None | Unemployed |
Career Earnings
| Season | Club | Transfer Fee/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2007–2011 | Arsenal | €1 million (from Châteauroux) |
| 2010 | Derby County (loan) | Loan fee |
| 2011–2015 | Lorient | Free transfer |
| 2015 | Évian | – |
| 2015–2018 | Angers | Free transfer |
| 2018–2019 | BB Erzurumspor | (Turkey) |
| 2020–2023 | Châteauroux | Free transfer |
Career Records
| Opponent | Date | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympiacos | Dec 2009 | Lost 1–0 | UEFA Champions League |
| PSG | 2012–2015 | 3 losses, 1 draw | Ligue 1 |
| Marseille | 2013 | 2–2 draw | Ligue 1 |
| Togo vs. Gambia | Oct 2018 | 1–1 draw | Africa Cup of Nations |
FAQs
1. Who is Gilles Sunu?
Gilles Christ Sunu is a professional footballer born on March 30, 1991, in Châteauroux, France. He primarily plays as a right winger but can also operate as a center-forward or left winger. Sunu has had a journeyman career, playing for various clubs including Arsenal, Derby County, Lorient, Évian, Angers, and Châteauroux. Although born in France, he represents Togo at the international level.
2. What is Gilles Sunu’s current playing status?
Gilles Sunu is currently without a club. His last known club was Châteauroux, where he played from 2020 to 2023. At 33 years old, Sunu is in the latter stages of his professional career.
3. Which major clubs has Gilles Sunu played for?
Throughout his career, Gilles Sunu has played for several notable clubs:
- Arsenal (2007-2011)
- Derby County (loan, 2010)
- Lorient (2011-2015)
- Évian (2015)
- Angers (2015-2018)
- BB Erzurumspor (2018-2019)
- Châteauroux (2020-2023)
4. What are Gilles Sunu’s international achievements?
Sunu initially represented France at various youth levels, including U17, U18, U19, U20, and U21. He was part of the French U19 team that won the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. In September 2018, Sunu switched his international allegiance to Togo, his father’s country of origin. He has since earned 13 caps for Togo, scoring 2 goals.
5. What was Gilles Sunu’s most successful period as a professional?
Sunu’s most successful period was likely during his time at Lorient (2011-2015). He made 76 league appearances for the club, scoring 6 goals. This period saw him establish himself as a regular in Ligue 1 and earn call-ups to the French U21 national team.
6. How did Gilles Sunu perform during his time at Arsenal?
Gilles Sunu joined Arsenal’s youth academy in 2007 but struggled to break into the first team. He made only two first-team appearances for the Gunners – one in the League Cup and one in the Champions League. Despite showing promise in the reserves, Sunu was ultimately unable to establish himself at Arsenal and left the club in 2011.
7. What are Gilles Sunu’s key attributes as a player?
Sunu is known for his versatility, being able to play across the front line. He possesses good speed and dribbling skills, which make him effective as a winger. He has shown the ability to contribute both goals and assists throughout his career.
8. Has Gilles Sunu won any major trophies in his career?
While Sunu hasn’t won any major club trophies at the senior level, he did experience success in youth football. He was part of the Arsenal team that won the FA Youth Cup and Premier Academy League double in 2009. His most significant achievement was winning the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship with France, where he scored in the final against Spain.
9. How has Gilles Sunu’s market value changed over his career?
Sunu’s market value has fluctuated throughout his career. It peaked during his time at Lorient and Angers when he was a regular in Ligue 1. His estimated transfer value is between €0.2M and €0.3M, reflecting his age and recent playing status.
10. What is known about Gilles Sunu’s personal life?
Gilles Sunu is the son of Manu Sunu, a former Togolese international footballer. This connection to Togo allowed Gilles to switch his international allegiance from France to Togo in 2018.
