Sunderland have signed some flops over the years for big money, including the likes of Jack Rodwell and Didier Ndong. However, the Wearsiders have also managed to pluck several gems over the years that have gone on to be fabulous servants for the club.
Here, we take a look at Sunderland’s best-ever value-for-money signings over the years:
13. Dean Whitehead
Sunderland were ordered to pay £150,000 to Oxford at an FA tribunal, to compensate for the time and money put into his development and Oxford would also receive 25% of any fee should Sunderland sell Whitehead, which ended up being an initial £3 million fee, rising to £5 million with add-ons to Stoke City. Whitehead played 200 times for Sunderland. Photo: Patrick Bolger
14. Jody Craddock
The defender joined Sunderland for £300,000 in 1997 and was sold 168 appearances later to Wolves for £1.75million to replace the injured Joleon Lescott at centre-back. Photo: Ross Kinnaird
15. Jan Kirchhoff
The German played an integral role in keeping Sunderland in the Premier League under Sam Allardyce but saw his latter days hampered by injuries. Photo: Clive Brunskill
16. Paul Bracewell
Paul Bracewell made over 250 appearances for Sunderland during three spells at the club. Photo: Anton Want