How the Black Cats’ signings fared over the past season...
Sunderland made 15 signings during the 2021/22 season – but how did they all fare after moving to Wearside?
Last summer the Black Cats predominantly tried to sign younger players, either on loan or permanently, to fit into Lee Johnson’s side.
Johnson was also in charge for most of the January transfer window, although the club made a couple of late signings after sacking their head coach a day before the end of the month.
Generally, most of Sunderland’s signings performed well as the club were promoted from League One, while there were some moves which didn’ t work out.
Here’s a rundown of how they performed…
Call um Doyle( on loan from ManchesterCity)-Stillonly18, the Citizens loanee was a key player during the first half of the campaign, starting 32 of 34 league games. He wasn't used as much under Alex Neil but still gained valuable experience and looks like a real prospect.
Alex Pr it cha rd( free transfer
from Huddersfield Town) After at ricky start, Sunderland found a way to get the best out of the 29-year-old though, and the playmaker ended the season with 11 League One assists.
Corry Evans (free transfer from Blackburn Rovers )– Afteras low start, which included multiple injury setbacks, the Black Cats captain proved a valuable asset under Neil. Evans, 31, produced some excellent displays as the side went on a 16-match unbeaten run at the end of the season.
Dennis Cirkin (signed from Tottenham Hotspur) – Still only 20, the left-back made 37 League One appearancesduring his first season as a senior player and overcame a tricky period midway through.
Frederik Alves (on loan from West Ham United) - A player it' s easy to forget about as the Danish centre-back didn't make a single league start. The 22-year-old produced some solid performances in the Carabao Cup but couldn't make a breakthrough, and was recalled in January before signing for Danish club Brondby.
Nathan Broadhead (on loan from Everton) - Despite suffering two significant muscle injuries, the 24-year-old scored 13 goals in 27 games and some crucial goals at that.
The striker's last-minute winners against Gillingham and Shrewsbury Town helped the Black Cats reach the play-offs. Broad head has a year left on his contract at Everton, and Sunderland will hold talks with the Toffees to see if a deal can be struck.
Ni all Huggins( signed from Leeds United) – After signing a four-year deal last summer, the 21-year-old full-back’s season was wrecked by a back injury and ankle issue. The defender produced some promising performances before the set backs.
LeonDajaku (on loan from Union Berlin) - Sunderland's first signing ahead of next season. A clause in the German's loan contract was triggered this campaign, meaning the move became permanent. The 21-year-old showed flashes of his talent, scoring four league goals and registering four assists, but is still raw. Dajaku's season was then cut short due to an illness.
Thorben Hoffmann (on loan from Bayern Munich) Hoffmann, 23, became firstchoice goalkeeper under Johnson and produced some fine performances. As you'd expect with an inexperienced stopper, there were also some errors and Neil elected to use Anthony Patterson ahead of the German.
Trai Hume (signed from Linfield) - Sunderland fans possibly expected to see a bit more of the 20- year-old right back, who made just three senior appearances following his move from Northern Ireland in January. Hume is clearly viewed as a long-term asset though, and didn't look out of place when he did feature.
Danny Batth (signed from Stoke City )- Despite an impressivede but against Portsmouth, the 31- year-old was part of Sunderland' s 6-0 hammering at Bolton Wanderers before picking up an ankle injury. Batth showed his worth at the end of the season though, forming a robust partnership with Bailey Wright. Neil also praised the centre-back’ s professionalismand attitude off the pitch.
Patrick Roberts (signed from Manchester City) - It may have taken a while for the winger to get up to speed, but the 25-year-old helped get Sunderland over the line in the play-offs. Roberts' last-minute winner against Sheffield Wednesday sent the Black Cats to Wembley, as the playmaker became a regular starter. Sunderland will offer Roberts a new contract, while the player has experience playing in the Championship.
Jack Clarke (on loan from Tottenham Hotspur) - Another January signing who took a while to get going, but played his part towards the end of the campaign. Clarke's performance in the second leg of the play-off semi-final against Wednesday, when he assisted Roberts' winner, was excellent, and Sunderland will explore the option of re-signing the 21-year-old next season.
Jay Matete (signed from FleetwoodTown)-Sunderland paid Fleetwood a significant six-figure sum for the highlyrated midfielder in January and Matete has made 16 appearances for the Black Cats since. The 21-year-old signed a four-and-a-half-yeardealatthe Stadium of Light and is another young player with lots of ability. Matete demonstrated his qualities to break up play and run with the ball in the second half of the campaign, yet the Championship represents another step up.
JermainDefoe (free transfer from Rangers) - A move which seemed to align, but didn' t have the fairy tale ending. At 39, Defoe was a free agent after leaving Rangers, while Sunderland needed another striker option. However, the front man made just seven appearancesfollowing his return to Wearside before announcing his retirement in March.