Sunderland FC Ex Premier League Players

Where are these ex Sunderland Premier League players now?

Welcome to the Sunderland legends page – the gateway to information on ex Black Cats who have played in the Premier League.

In addition to information on ex players we have also added statistics which include the top scorers in the, most appearances and also the football club’s final league position for each year that they have featured in the EPL.


Thomas Sorensen – Premier League Appearances: 364 | Clean Sheets: 107

A fan’s favourite at Sunderland, Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorenson retired from playing in 2017 after two seasons playing in the Australian A-League for Melbourne City. Read More..


Emerson Thome – Premier League Appearances: 152 | Goals Scored: 3

Brazilian centre-back Emerson Thome retired from playing in 2007 at the age of 35 after a season playing in the J-League with Japanese side Vissel Kobe. Read More..


Nedum Onuoha – Premier League Appearances: 188 | Goals Scored: 4

Former Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers defender Nedum Onuoha retired from playing in 2020 at the age of 34 after spending two years playing in the MLS with Real Salt Lake. Read More..


Anton FerdinandPremier League Appearances: 218 | Goals Scored: 4

Former West Ham United, Queens Park Rangers and Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand retired from playing in July 2019 after a season playing in the Scottish Premiership with St Mirren. Read More..


Younes Kaboul – Premier League Appearances: 197 | Goals Scored: 12

Former Tottenham Hotspur captain Younes Kaboul retired from playing at the end of 2018 after two seasons at Watford. Read More..


Lee Clark – Premier League Appearances: 185 | Goals Scored: 13

Lee Clark finally hung up his boots after a second spell at Newcastle United in 2006. Read More..


Andy MelvillePremier League Appearances: 100 | Goals Scored: 2

Former Wales international defender and Fulham captain Andy Melville retired from playing in 2005 after a season at West Ham United. Read More..


Jody Craddock – Premier League Appearances: 189 | Goals Scored: 9

Jody Craddock enjoyed a 20 year playing career including spells in the Premier League with Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers before retiring in 2013. Read More..


John O’SheaPremier League Appearances: 445 | Goals Scored: 13

Former Manchester United and Sunderland defender John O’Shea finally retired from playing at the end of the 2018/19 season at the age of 38 after a season playing in the Championship with Reading. Read More..


Chris Makin – Premier League Appearances: 124 | Goals Scored: 2

Regarded as a cult hero at Sunderland, Chris Makin retired from playing professionally in 2008 on advice from his doctor after failing to overcome a hip injury. Read More..


Paul Bracewell – Premier League Appearances: 86 | Goals Scored: 1

Part of Everton’s successful league winning side in 1985, Paul Bracewell retired from playing in 1999 after two seasons playing in the Second Division with Fulham. Read More..


Michael Gray – Premier League Appearances: 235 | Goals Scored: 5

Michael Gray finished his playing career at the end of the 2009-2010 season after his contract with Sheffield United wasn’t renewed. Read More..


Gary Breen – Premier League Appearances: 165 | Goals Scored: 3

A player who always gave 100% commitment, Gary Breen was unfortunately relegated from the Premier League three times during his career.  Read More..


Julio ArcaPremier League Appearances: 149 | Goals Scored: 8

A cult hero in the North-East after playing for both Middlesbrough and Sunderland, Julio Arca retired from playing professional football in 2013 at the age of 32. Read More..


Alex Rae – Premier League Appearances: 102 | Goals Scored: 12

A legend at both Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers where he won their player of the season award in his first year at the club, Alex Rae retired from playing professionally in 2010. Read More..


Gavin McCann – Premier League Appearances: 301 | Goals Scored: 12

Although Gavin McCann had a number of injuries throughout his career he still managed to chalk up over 300 Premier League appearances for three different teams. His career was cut short in 2011 when he finally had to retire due to injury at only 33 years old. Read More..


Kieran RichardsonPremier League Appearances: 265 | Goals Scored: 24

Former Premier League player Kieran Richardson retired from playing in 2016 after a brief spell playing in the Championship with Cardiff City. Read More..


Don Hutchison – Premier League Appearances: 220 | Goals Scored: 37

The much travelled Don Hutchison finally hung up his boots in 2008 whilst playing for Luton Town where he will be always be appreciated after donating his final pay packet to sponsor two youth players when the club was experiencing financial problems. Read More..


Andy ReidPremier League Appearances: 115 | Goals Scored: 7

Former Premier League midfielder Andy Reid retired from playing in 2016 due to long-term injury problems after five seasons playing in the Championship with Nottingham Forest. Read More..


Titus Bramble – Premier League Appearances: 292 | Goals Scored: 10

Having spent 13 seasons in the Premier League with four different clubs, Titus Bramble retired from playing in 2013 after being released by SunderlandRead More..


Claudio Reyna – Premier League Appearances: 105 | Goals Scored: 7

Widely regarded as one of the greatest players that the USA have ever produced, Claudio Reyna retired from playing in 2008 after an 18 month spell back in his homeland with the New York Red Bulls. Read More..


Kevin Ball – Premier League Appearances: 43 | Goals Scored: 3

Sunderland icon and former club captain Kevin Ball retired from playing in 2002 after a two year spell at Burnley. Read More..


Boudewijn ZendenPremier League Appearances: 180 | Goals Scored: 19

After playing for some of the biggest teams across Europe, Bolo Zenden retired from playing in 2011 at the age of 34 after two seasons playing in the Premier League for Sunderland. Read More..


Kevin Kilbane – Premier League Appearances: 325 | Goals Scored: 15

After a distinguished domestic and international career in which he earned 110 caps, Kevin Kilbane retired from playing in 2012 whilst playing for Coventry CityRead More..


Danny Dichio – Premier League Appearances: 93 | Goals Scored: 19

After a 16 year career playing in the top flight of football including spells in Italy and Canada, Danny Dichio retired from playing in 2009 whilst at Toronto FC. Read More..


Dwight Yorke – Premier League Appearances: 375 | Goals Scored: 123

After finishing his playing career at Sunderland following the dismissal of Roy Keane in 2008, Dwight Yorke briefly assisted the manager of the Trinidad and Tobago national team. Read More..


Marcus Stewart – Premier League Appearances: 81 | Goals Scored: 26

After a five year career with Ipswich Town and Sunderland in the Premier League, Marcus Stewart dropped down the leagues and finally retired in 2011 when he was at Exeter City. Read More..


Michael Bridges – Premier League Appearances: 87 | Goals Scored: 22

After a career which was unfortunately marred by injuries, Michael Bridges retired from playing at the end of the 2013-14 season after spending five years with Australian side Newcastle Jets. Read More..


Niall Quinn – Premier League Appearances: 250 | Goals Scored: 59

A Premier League legend who played at the top level for nearly 20 years, Niall Quinn retired from playing in 2002 after a successful six years playing for SunderlandRead More..


Kevin Phillips – Premier League Appearances: 263 | Goals Scored: 92

A prolific striker at every club he played for, Kevin Phillips finally retired from playing at the age of 40 after winning promotion to the Premier League at the end of the 2013-14 season with Leicester City. Read More..


Jason McAteer – Premier League Appearances: 156 | Goals Scored: 7

After being released in 2007 by Tranmere Rovers, former Liverpool player Jason McAteer finally hung up his boots at the age of 36. Read More..


Djibril Cisse – Premier League Appearances: 110 | Goals Scored: 32

The enigmatic and sometimes colourful French striker Djibril Cisse retired from playing in February 2017 after attempting to make a comeback from his original retirement in 2015. Read More..


Tore Andre Flo – Premier League Appearances: 141 | Goals Scored: 38

An integral part of Chelsea’s strikeforce in the late 1990’s, Tore Andre Flo retired from the game in 2012 whilst playing back in Norway with Sogndal at the age of 38. Read More..


Darren Bent – Premier League Appearances: 276 | Goals Scored: 106

Former Premier League striker Darren Bent retired from playing in 2019 after spending a year without a club after he was released by Derby County at the end of the 2017-18 season. Read More..


Jermain DefoePremier League Appearances: 496 | Goals Scored: 162

Prolific former Premier League striker Jermain Defoe called time on his illustrious career in March 2022 after a brief second spell at Sunderland. Read More..


Kenwyne Jones – Premier League Appearances: 195 | Goals Scored: 40

Former Stoke City and Sunderland forward Kenwyne Jones retired from professional football in 2017 after playing in Atlanta United’s inaugural season in the MLS. Read More..


Premier League Statistics

This table shows the players who have made the most appearances for Sunderland and who has scored the most goals in the EPL

Top EPL GoalscorersGoalsMost EPL AppearancesGames
Kevin Phillips61John O'Shea189
Jermaine Defoe34Seb Larsson176
Niall Quinn29Phil Bardsley174
Kenwyne Jones26Michael Gray 170
Darren Bent24Lee Cattermole169
Steven Fletcher23Kevin Phillips139
Adam Johnson19Kieran Richardson134
Stephane Sessegnon17Niall Quinn129
Kieron Richardson14Thomas Sorensen126
Fabio Borini14Adam Johnson122

Statistics provided by Statbunker

Last Updated on 25 October 2023 by Admin