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).
RELATED ARTICLES
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. What position does Gilles Sunu play?
He plays mainly as a winger or forward. Sunu uses his pace and work rate to support attacks and stretch defenses for the teams he represents.
2. Which clubs has Sunu played for during his career?
Sunu played for Arsenal, Derby County on loan, Lorient, Évian, Angers, Erzurumspor, and Châteauroux. His career includes time in England, France, and Turkey.
3. For which national team has Gilles Sunu played at senior level?
Although born in France, he switched allegiance and plays for the Togo national team. Sunu made his debut for Togo in October 2018 after a prominent youth career with France.
4. What were Sunu’s main achievements as a youth international?
He won the 2010 UEFA Under-19 European Championship with France, scoring in the final against Spain. Sunu also reached the Under-17 European Championship final in 2008.
5. Has Sunu ever played in the English Premier League?
He did not make a Premier League appearance for Arsenal’s first team, instead playing in cup matches and going on loan to Derby County where he scored a league goal.
6. What caused Gilles Sunu to miss part of the 2011–12 season?
A rupture of his Achilles tendon significantly affected his season while playing with Lorient in Ligue 1. The injury required a lengthy period of recovery before returning to regular football.
7. What is Sunu’s career goal and appearance record in senior club football?
He played over 300 matches in senior club football and scored more than 25 goals. Most of his appearances came in France’s Ligue 1 and Ligue 2.
8. Who is Sunu’s famous football family member?
His father is Manu Sunu, a former Togo international. Gilles continued the footballing tradition, representing Togo at senior international level.
9. What is Sunu’s most notable club achievement?
He won the FA Youth Cup and Premier Academy League double with Arsenal’s youth team in 2009, a significant moment before his senior career fully began.
10. When did Sunu last play professional football, and for which club?
He played for Châteauroux in Ligue 2 during the 2022–23 season. Sunu returned to his hometown club, where he began his career as a youth player.
RELATED ARTICLES
