A top 10 ranking of Sunderland’s most expensive departures of all time, from Wahbi Khazri to Jordan Pickford.
Sunderland fans have witnessed many of their star players leave for heavy sums of money over the years. While many of these have left the Stadium of Light on good terms, others have seen their time come to a controversial end.
Jordan Pickford is the most prominent name on the list, with the academy graduate departing for Everton back in 2017.
Many of Sunderland’s first team could also follow suit this summer after the club failed to gain promotion to the Premier League. This has seen plenty linked away including Jack Clarke with Southampton reportedly chasing.
Therefore, this list ranks Sunderland’s most expensive departs from the club as of 04/06/2024. This article only takes into consideration the initial fee and any permanent transfer away from the Black Cats.
10) Wahbi Khazri
Wahbi Khazri’s two-year spell at the Black Cats was brought to an end in 2018 after their relegation from the Premier League. The winger departed the club and headed back to France, joining Saint Etienne for £6 million.
9) Connor Wickham
The promising upcoming striker struggled to show his potential while at the Stadium of Light. Connor Wickham had plenty of promise which earned him a move to Sunderland in 2011 from Ipswich.
However, the Black Cats were prepared to take a loss on the attacker when they accepted a bid from Crystal Palace for an initial fee of £7 million back in 2015.
8) Kenwyne Jones
In the Premier League, Kenwyne Jones was a consistent threat for Sunderland. In his three years at the club, he found the net 26 times in the top division.
This eventually caught the attention of Stoke City who put in a bid of £8 million for the striker, a club-record fee for the Potters in 2010.
7) Ross Stewart
The most recent departure on this list, Ross Stewart had become a fan favourite in his two-and-a-half seasons at the club. The striker helped the club win the EFL Trophy and then oversaw the club’s promotion back into the Championship.
After a successful year in the second tier, he moved to Southampton for £8 million in 2023. However, since then, Stewart has unfortunately struggled with injuries at the Saints.
Read more: Every Sunderland signing and departure in the 2024/25 campaign.
6) Simon Mignolet
In his three years at Sunderland, Simon Mignolet managed to cement himself as the number one goalkeeper in between the sticks.
Numerous performances from the Belgian were highly impressive which eventually caught the eye of Liverpool. The Reds purchased Mignolet for £9 million in 2013 where he instantly became their number one.
5) Asamoah Gyan
Asamoah Gyan’s end at Sunderland was highly controversial. The Ghanian striker initially joined the Black Cats for a club-record fee back in 2010.
In his first season, he managed to find the net 10 times in 31 games in the Premier League. However, his journey up north was about to come to an end.
Gyan left the club originally on loan, going to UAE side Al Ain FC. Following this spell, his permanent transfer to the Middles East was confirmed in 2012 for £10 million.
4) Patrick van Aanholt
One of Sunderland’s best performers in a dark era for the club, Patrick van Aanholt rarely let the Stadium of Light faithful down in his three-year period up north.
The left-back had a real attacking threat which saw him net a free-kick in a 3-0 victory over Everton to relegate Newcastle and keep Sunderland in the Premier League back in 2016.
Upon the Black Cats’ relegation the following year, the van Aanholt moved to Crystal Palace for £14 million.
3) Darren Bent
One of the best strikers in Sunderland’s Premier League era, Darren Bent was unstoppable at the Stadium of Light. Signing in 2009, the attacker netted 24 times in the top flight in his first season at the club.
This was soon followed up with another eight goals at the halfway point of the 2010/11 campaign before a record bid was accepted.
Aston Villa signed Bent for an initial £18 million which could rise to £24 million, bringing an end to the England international’s stay.
2) Jordan Henderson
One of many Sunderland academy graduates who have gone on to become superstars, Jordan Henderson was always going to be a special talent.
After two consistent years in the Black Cats’ first team, Liverpool spent £20 million to bring him to Anfield.
There is hope among fans that Henderson may return to Sunderland now he is at the twilight of his career.
1) Jordan Pickford
Taking the number one spot as Sunderland’s most expensive outgoing is Jordan Pickford. The Sunderland academy graduate was phenomenal during the Black Cats’ relegation season.
This led to Everton bidding an eye-watering £30 million for the goalkeeper which was accepted in 2017. Pickford has remained at the Toffees ever since.