Sunderland U21s won 7-1 in Europe with Dennis Cirkin, Dan Neil and Luke O’Nien in the side
Sunderland were busy in the summer transfer market, but where did their business leave the average age of their squad?
Sunderland have made an excellent start to life back in the Premier League, and there’s no doubt their summer recruitment drive has played a huge part in that.
The Black Cats made no fewer than 14 signings as they prepared to return to the top flight for the first time since 2016, and the vast majority of them were at the younger end of the age scale - only Granit Xhaka (33), Arthur Masuaku (32) and Reinildo (31) are 30+ years old.
As a result, Sunderland have looked fit and energised, scoring six goals in the final 15 minutes of matches - the third-highest total in the division. But where does all this leave Regis Le Bris’ men in terms of average age? Are Sunderland spring chickens compared to their Premier League counterparts, or is the Stadium of Light in danger of becoming a retirement home?
How does Sunderland’s average age compare to the rest of the Premier League?
Below are all 20 Premier League teams ranked from highest average age to lowest, using data from Transfermarkt.
Fulham - 27.4
Aston Villa - 27.3
Everton - 27.1
Newcastle United - 26.7
Burnley - 26.5
Leeds United - 26.4
West Ham United - 26.4
Crystal Palace - 26.1
Liverpool - 26.0
Wolves - 25.8
Nottingham Forest - 25.6
Manchester United - 25.5
Arsenal - 25.2
Brentford - 25.1
Brighton - 25.0
Manchester City - 24.9
Bournemouth - 24.9
Tottenham Hotspur - 24.7
Sunderland - 24.6
Chelsea - 23.2
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Sunderland young guns taking Premier League by storm
As you can see, Sunderland have the second-lowest average age of any Premier League squad at 24.6, with only Chelsea boasting a younger group at 23.2. By contrast, rivals Newcastle United have the fourth-oldest squad at 26.7.
Sunderland’s youngest player is talented homegrown Chris Rigg at just 18 years old, with the teenager already making six Premier League appearances this season, off the back of four goals during the promotion-winning campaign.
At the opposite end of the scale, Granit Xhaka is the oldest first-team regular, turning 33 in September. However, the former Arsenal man is by no means slowing down, sitting first among Sunderland players for chances created (16) and assists (3), and second for tackles (29), interceptions (13), fouls committed (12), and fouls won (13).
The oldest player in Sunderland’s squad overall is back-up goalkeeper Simon Moore at 35 years old, but he hasn’t played a league game for the club since November 2024, while his only matchday squad appearance this season was on the bench against Huddersfield Town in the EFL Cup in August.
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