Sunderland travel to Everton this weekend - and several familiar names have represented both clubs. Blake Burns takes a look at five
Sunderland head to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the second time this season on Sunday as the Black Cats take on Everton in the final away game of their first campaign back in the Premier League.
Ahead of the game, Blake Burns looks back at five memorable players who have represented both clubs:
Jordan Pickford
The most notable name on this list is England number one Jordan Pickford. Pickford made only 35 senior appearances for his boyhood club, but he will go down in Wearside history for his personal achievements after coming through the Sunderland academy.
The goalkeeper broke into the Sunderland side under current Everton boss David Moyes and was named the club’s Young Player of the Year in 2017, though he was unable to keep the Black Cats in the top flight. Pickford has made more than 350 appearances for Everton since his move from Wearside in 2017. The 32-year-old has become a huge favourite at Goodison Park and has won Everton’s Player of the Season award four times.
He could head to his third World Cup this summer, having cemented his place as England’s first-choice goalkeeper for the best part of the last decade. Having already faced his former club twice this season, Pickford will almost certainly receive another warm reception from the travelling Sunderland supporters on Sunday.
Aiden McGeady
Republic of Ireland winger Aiden McGeady signed for Everton from Spartak Moscow in January 2014. McGeady was later brought to the Stadium of Light by Simon Grayson after the pair had spent a season together at Preston North End. Sunderland paid Everton just £250,000 for his signature.
Unfortunately, the quality of the Irish winger was not enough to stop Chris Coleman’s side from suffering relegation to League One. However, McGeady opted to stay on Wearside in an attempt to help Sunderland climb out of the third tier.
After playing at Wembley on injections because of a broken foot and later being exiled to the academy by Phil Parkinson, McGeady eventually got his wish. The winger was part of the squad that achieved promotion in the 2021-22 campaign before reuniting with former Black Cats boss Lee Johnson at Hibernian following the expiry of his contract.
Kevin Kilbane
Kevin Kilbane arrived on Wearside in 1999 after spending two years at West Bromwich Albion. Kilbane made a fine start in red and white, assisting Kevin Phillips against Southampton with his first touch. He went on to be part of the Sunderland squad that sealed consecutive seventh-place finishes in the top flight.
However, his time in the North East ended somewhat bitterly. The midfielder was never fully taken to by supporters and did not help himself when he made a two-fingered gesture towards a section of the fanbase. The Black Cats were eventually relegated to the First Division, and Kilbane moved to the blue side of Merseyside.
The versatile Republic of Ireland international spent three years at Everton under Moyes and helped the Toffees secure a Champions League place in the 2004-05 campaign. Kilbane made 121 appearances during his three-year spell before leaving for Wigan Athletic.
Gavin McCann
Gavin McCann came through Everton’s academy before making his senior debut against Newcastle United at St James’ Park in 1997. The midfielder made the move from Merseyside to Wearside in 1998 and went on to make 131 appearances for the Black Cats across a five-year spell. He featured 11 times as Peter Reid’s side sealed promotion to the Premier League in 1999.
McCann’s performances in red and white earned him an England call-up, with Sven-Goran Eriksson handing him his first and only cap in a 3-0 win over Spain in 2001. Alongside Kilbane, McCann also helped Sunderland secure back-to-back seventh-place finishes in the Premier League. The midfielder left for Aston Villa following relegation in the 2002-03 campaign.
Jack Rodwell
Jack Rodwell broke through Everton’s academy at the age of just 16 and, somewhat ironically, made his Premier League debut at the Stadium of Light after coming on as a late substitute. The midfielder made 109 appearances for the Toffees before joining Manchester City for £12million. That move did not work out and, after two years and just 25 appearances, Rodwell headed to the Stadium of Light for £10million.
Life at Sunderland started brightly for the then 23-year-old. He scored on his home debut against Manchester United in a 1-1 draw and went on to score three goals in his first season as Sunderland once again avoided relegation. However, Rodwell played only 76 times across more than four years at the club. Coleman later stated that the midfielder had refused to play for Sunderland, a claim Rodwell denied. The club eventually terminated his contract following relegation to League One.
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