The Black Cats have certainly had mixed fortunes in the January transfer market in the past, with some baffling and bizarre deals being completed during what is a notoriously difficult window for clubs.
But there have also been some undoubted successes to come from the winter trading period too, and here we take a look at some of the best and worst deals completed by the Wearsiders in the January window over the last decade.
Some of them you’ll remember, while others may have faded from the memory – and there’s even a few icons thrown in for good measure too.
So scroll down as we take a walk down memory lane at some hits and misses from January over the last ten years:
1. BEST: Lamine Kone
We'll start with the highlights of the winter window, and where better to start than that brilliant January window under Sam Allardyce? While Kone's influence faded over time amid claims of interest from elsewhere, there's no doubting the immediate impact he had on Wearside upon his arrival. Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos
2. BEST: Wahbi Khazri
The Tunisian international made a major impact after joining the Black Cats from Bordeaux in 2016, with his goals and assists playing a critical role in keeping the Black Cats' heads above water as they mounted the great escape under Allardyce. Photo: OLI SCARFF
3. BEST: Jan Kirchhoff
The German endured a nightmare debut at Tottenham Hotspur in the 4-1 defeat, but quickly found a home as a holding midfielder and became a key cog of Allardyce's side. He proved a bargain buy in the end, and is one of the club's more astute January additions of recent years. Photo: Michael Regan
4. BEST: Jermain Defoe
There's little that needs said here that isn't already known. Defoe averaged near to a goal every three games after his arrival from Toronto FC and proved a key presence as Sunderland retained their Premier League status in 2015 and 2016. Photo: Ian MacNicol