A whole host of players have made a long-lasting impression on Sunderland over the last three decades after becoming firm favourites with the Stadium of Light faithful.
Who can forget Kevin Phillips’ transformation from cut-price signing to a European Golden Boot winner during his time on Wearside? Or Julio Arca joining as a relative unknown and departing as a genuine cult hero six years later? Then there is Niall Quinn, who forged a fearsome partnership will Phillips that terrorised Premier League defences around the turn of the millennium and pushed the club to the brink of challenging for a place in European competition.
But Sunderland being Sunderland, there are also a number of players that have almost been forgotten following their own spells in the famous red and white stripes. We take a look back through the last three decades to identify 15 players that endured less than memorable spells on Wearside.

5. Robbie Elliott
Best known for his two spells with Newcastle, Elliott joined the Black Cats at the start of the 2006/07 season and made just a handful of appearances before departing for Leeds United. | Getty Images

6. Nicolas Medina
Sunderland's other Argentinean signing as he followed in Julio Arca's footsteps, Medina joined in a £3.5m deal in 2001 but failed to make a league appearance before departing to join Spanish club Real Murcia in 2004. | Getty Images

7. Marcos Angeleri
Another Argentinean player to have joined the Black Cats, Angeleri made just two appearances during the 2011/12 season before returning to Argentina with Estudiantes. | Getty Images

8. Kyle Lafferty
The Northern Ireland international scored twice during the second half of the 2020/21 season before moving to Italian club Reggina during the following summer. | Getty Images