As Kyril Louis-Dreyfus finally takes control of the club, we take a look at how the takeover narrative has progressed over the last year and all of the key names in the frame.
Scroll down and take a look at how things have developed since owner Stewart Donald first opened sale talks:
5. December 27th 2019
Sunderland fans launch the #DonaldOut campaign - claiming trust between the club and fanbase has ‘eroded’. Photo: Frank Reid
6. January 3rd 2020
Speaking to BBC Newcastle, Stewart Donald publicly confirmed that he would pursue the sale of the club. Donald said that there had already been ‘lots of interest’, and that he expected the process to take ‘a month or two’. Photo: Frank Reid
7. March 29th 2020
Almost three months on from Donald’s original remarks, Charlie Methven discussed the takeover as he promoted the second series of Sunderland ‘Til I Die. Methven said that the COVID-19 crisis had thus far had ‘no material impact’ on takeover talks, which were ‘well progressed and productive’. He said that the ownership at this stage believed the club would change hands before the end of May. Photo: Kevin Brady
8. April 9th 2020
In an interview with talkSPORT, Donald said the COVID-19 crisis had slowed the process. While he said the intention remained to sell, he also suggested that both he and Methven would like to say. Donald also said that he felt in the new landscape, he felt it would be easier for the club to compete under his ownership. Photo: Frank Reid