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.
9. James McFadden
After spending time on trial with Sunderland, McFadden joined the Black Cats in October 2012 and made three appearances before returning to Scotland with former club Motherwell three months later. | Getty Images
10. Emmanuel Eboue
After making over a century of appearances for Arsenal and spending time with Turkish giants Galatasaray, Eboue joined Sunderland in March 2016 but was handed a ban for failing to pay a former agent and was released without playing a first-team game. | Getty Images
11. Dominic Matteo
Pictured playing against Sunderland for Liverpool, Matteo made a solitary appearance for the Black Cats during a loan spell in 1995. | Getty Images
12. Calum Davenport
Davenport joined Sunderland on loan from West Ham United during the second half of the 2008/09 season and made eight appearances before returning to the Hammers. | Getty Images