But a glance outside the Premier League shows a host of players who spent their formative years at the Academy of Light - showing how the Black Cats’ impact stretches throughout the footballing pyramid.
We cast an eye over 17 highly-rated players who progressed through the Sunderland youth system and now play elsewhere. How many can you remember?
5. Jordan Cook
A loan spell at Carlisle United - where he developed a knack for scoring crucial goals from the bench - saw Cook to shoot to prominence. He left Sunderland in 2012 for Charlton and, after spells with Walsall and Luton Town, is now with League Two side Grimsby. Photo: Pete Norton
6. Trevor Carson
Carson never made a senior appearance for Sunderland - although he did make the bench as understudy to Ben Alnwick - but has gone on to forge a fine career with Motherwell. He’s also a regular in the Northern Ireland senior squad. Photo: Pete Norton
7. George Honeyman
A man who needs no introduction. Honeyman captained the Black Cats last season before joining Championship side Hull City. Photo: Ashley Allen
8. Alex Gorrin
Once highly-rated at the Academy of Light, the Spanish midfielder left in 2014 in search of regular football. He spent time in Australia, Portugal, Romania and Scotland before signing for Oxford United in the summer of 2019. Photo: Richard Heathcote