The insurance businessman took over the club back in April 2018, buying it from Ellis Short following the club’s double relegation from the Premier League to League One.
Donald’s influence at the club remained strong until Kyril Louis-Dreyfus purchased a controlling stake in the club in December 2020.
Between April 2018 and December 2020, Donald signed off on a host of incoming Sunderland transfers… but which ones were good and which ones turned out to be bad?
Here, we take a look at and rate every incoming deal sanctioned while Stewart Donald held a majority controlling stake in the club.
Between April 2018 and December 2020, Donald signed off on a host of incoming Sunderland transfers… but which ones were good and which ones turned out to be bad?
![Bright in from Hartlepool United but was never really given a proper chance. 2/10.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjFlYmViMDQ4LTc5MjQtNDExNi1hOTBmLThlM2ViMzU4ZjAyMzo2MzhmZWMxNi1hZTU3LTRlYjYtYTE0MS01ZWMzMWQyZDIyNjY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
37. Josh Hawkes
Bright in from Hartlepool United but was never really given a proper chance. 2/10. Photo: FRANK REID 2019