Sunderland make their return to the Premier League international cup when they face Athletic Bilbao at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday evening.
It marks a proud moment for the club’s academy, which has rebuilt steadily from the challenges it faced as a result of Sunderland’s back-to-back relegations from the Premier League to League One. It’s also a huge reward and opportunity for the players who performed so impressively in reaching the Premier League 2 play-off final last season.
It’s Sunderland’s first appearance in the competition since 2017, when they made it all the way to the final. There they were beaten 5-0 at the Stadium of Light by a quite outstanding Porto side, but making it that far was a superb achievement and the strength of the group was reflected in the careers they’ve been able to forge since. Here, we catch up with what came next for the 14 players who featured in that game and where they are now.
9. Rees Greenwood
Talented winger who had made his first-team debut at Watford the season previous. Had spells in Dubai and Iceland following his departure from the club but hasn't played in recent years and is instead focusing on coaching in the north east. | Getty Images
10. Josh Maja
Maja would score his first senior goal later that year, ending Sunderland's near year-long wait for a home league win against Fulham. Then produced a stunning run of form in the first half of Sunderland's opening campaign in League One, earning a controversial and acrimonious move to Bordeaux. Two loan spells at Fulham (in the Premier League) and Stoke City yielded mixed returns but has started this season very well under Carlos Corberan at West Brom, scoring a hat trick on opening day. | Getty Images
11. Joel Asoro
Many were surprised when Sunderland accepted an offer of around £2 million from Swansea City for Asoro following relegation to League One, but he'd entered the last year of his contract and the club felt it was good value. That proved to be the case as the youngster played little in South Wales, but he's had a very solid career since. Did well with Djurgardens in Sweden, earning a first cap for his country, before joining FC Metz in France. | JPI Media
12. Luke Molyneux
The winger joined Hartlepool United following his Sunderland departure and has since become a key player at Doncaster Rovers, where he is thriving as they target promotion from League Two under Grant McCann. Seen as one of the best wide forwards at that level and already has four goals this season. Photo: Peter Byrne