Transfer Rumours The Sunderland Links/Transfer Rumours Thread - Summer 2025

He took our Brereton but it wasn't a foul.

 

It was a thing of beauty

 

His mam will be over the moon

 

As are we Bob. As are we.

 

Rigg might get a new deal. Not sure the other two will.

 

Sunderland AFC is delighted to announce that Luke O’Nien has signed a new two-year contract.

The Club’s longest-serving player and the record appearance holder at the Stadium of Light, the defender is now committed to Wearside until 2027, with a Club option of an additional year.

O’Nien cemented his place in Sunderland history last season by making 48 appearances as the Black Cats returned to the Premier League following an eight-year absence.

Victory in the Championship Play-Off Final was the culmination of an unforgettable seven years on Wearside for the 30-year-old, who was ever-present throughout the Club’s journey from League One to the Premier League.

After signing up, O’Nien said: “This is another huge honour for me. I’ve had the pleasure of being part of a side that has achieved two promotions, and there are so many other memories to recall. I’m so happy to be given the chance to create more by extending my stay. Everyone knows how much pride I hold in representing this Club. Our journey to the Premier League is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life, but the hard work doesn’t stop, and I can’t wait to take on this new challenge. I can’t thank the city and the Club enough for the way they’ve embraced me and my family. This has been our home for many years, and there is no other place in the world that we want to be.”

Before joining Sunderland, the defender started his career at Watford and represented Wealdstone and Wycombe Wanderers.

He was part of the Chairboys’ side that earned promotion from League Two during the 2017-18 season, and one season later, he arrived in the North East.

O’Nien was a shining light throughout the Club’s time in League One, and he quickly adapted to life in the Championship, featuring on 130 occasions across three seasons.

Now, the promised land awaits the defender, who will complete an incredible ten-year rise from non-league football to the Premier League when he returns from a shoulder injury and makes his top-flight debut.

Kristjaan Speakman said: “Luke has been integral to our progress throughout the last four years, both on and off the field. His passion for Sunderland is clear and infectious, and there are many reasons why he is so highly regarded by our supporters and staff, and his team-mates. This contract extension is recognition of his contribution to date, whilst reaffirming our expectations moving forward. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with him and now look forward to building the next stage of our shared journey.”

 

Superb. I've been going a long time, and he is among my favourite ever players. You just don't get many characters like him.

At our lowest ever ebb, he carried himself with an effervescence the was critical to us then. It's going to be critical now too

 

Great news and fully deserved.

 

Came when others wouldn’t and has never let us down, over the moon for the lad.

 

Good to see and thoroughly deserved

 

I’ve found that the older I get I couldn’t give a toss about players. If they play well for Sunderland then that’s great, but overall I really don’t care.
But there is something about Luke O’Nien that from the outside at least, makes him eminently likeable. As others have said, it’s his infectious enthusiasm, his passion for SAFC, his attitude. He also comes across as a young lad who has good values and, dare I say it for a football player, intelligence over and above that needed to play the game. I think someone from within the club once described him as cerebral, which is about right.
So if you read this Luke, I hope the next few years at SAFC give you and your family everything you want. You thoroughly deserve it.

 

Can anyone help,

Im looking for a 2 footed centre half, that can ping 60 yard crossfield balls comfortably on both feet.

Any suggestions........

 

Jack 'the English maldini' Baldwin

Happy to help mate

 

Any serious suggestions?

 

I want a pacey CB and one who can pass through the lines into the CFs/AM feet tbh

I know you are hinting at O9, O9 is a good player and he might step up (hope he does).

We have 2 physical CBs in Ballard and Alderete so id like another good ball playing one who can play through the lines

 

Seelt could be that, or Alese but I dont fancy going round in circles about injuries and potential.

We bring another one in, we may not, 2 sleeps to till it all starts

 

They could be, but we need another CB for now imo - RLB has pretty much said that as well

Buzzing for it all starting tho

 

Do we really NEED one now? Seelt is already here, 09 and Alese vack in 3 week.

It woud be nice but not critical

 

I think we do based on the injury record of our CBs plus most are unproven

Seelt will get loaned out, needs to play week in week out to reach his potential imo

O9 I hope is back soon, just worried about his shoulder inhiry

Alese always injured so can't be trusted

Ballard has knly played over 50% of our league games in 1 of his 3 seasons.

CB is a huge position in the PL so needs to be a strength so for me we do need 1 more.

 

Just for interest, IF we could keep Alese fit do you think hes a premier league centre half?

Could Seelt play week in week out in the premier league and reach his potential?