The 38-year-old made headlines on Friday, however, when Spanish fourth-tier outfit Racing Murcia claimed that he has signed a deal to come out of retirement for them.
Lescott’s last match for the Wearsiders came against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, in a game that has lived long in the memory for all the wrong reasons.
Sunderland lost 5-1 that day, with David Moyes quitting in the immediate aftermath of the game.
The Black Cats also agreed to a bizarre moment in which they willingly put the ball out of play in the 26th minute so that retiring Chelsea skipper John Terry could be given a standing ovation from the home support.
We’ve taken a look back on Moyes’ squad from that shambolic display to see where they are now, and what they’ve been up to since.
Click and scroll through the pages below.
Sunderland lost 5-1 that day, with David Moyes quitting in the immediate aftermath of the game.
5. Joleon Lescott
The former England international looked to be done and dusted with his playing days when he left Sunderland in the summer of 2017. A promising career in punditry has followed, with the 38-year-old securing a regular gig on Sky Sports over the past couple of seasons, but it seems as if Lescott is getting ready to lace up his boots once more after Spanish fourth-tier outfit Racing Murcia claimed on Friday that he had signed for them. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Photo: Shaun Botterill
6. Seb Larsson
Always a firm favourite on Wearside, the Swede is back in his home country now, and is a regular for Stockholm outfit AIK. Larsson spent a season at Hull City after leaving Sunderland. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images) Photo: Nigel Roddis
7. Bryan Oviedo
Another player who has found his way to Scandinavia, Oviedo left England for Danish high-flyers FC Copenhagen last year. The Costa Rican even got as far as the Europa League quarter-final with his new side last term. (Photo by Ian Kington /AFP via Getty Images) Photo: IAN KINGTON
8. Jack Rodwell
Almost universally derided on Wearside, Rodwell had a bitter and protracted fall from grace that saw him pocket a top flight wage in the Championship despite barely kicking a ball. When the midfielder did eventually leave the Black Cats, it was for Blackburn Rovers, but he lasted just one season before being released. Somehow back in the Premier League with Sheffield United, the 29-year-old is yet to make much of an impression for the Blades. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Photo: Shaun Botterill