The 2025-26 campaign is Sunderland’s 17th season in the Premier League and the Black Cats are looking to make it one to remember.
Sunderland’s best finish during that time is seventh, on two separate occasions, and in this article we look at the five players who made themselves Wearside legends in the Premier League era.
5) Kevin Ball
Midfielder Kevin Ball spent nine years at Sunderland as a player and was twice caretaker manager, with him since becoming a club ambassador.
The former Portsmouth man made over 350 appearances for the Black Cats, twice helping them win promotion to the Premier League, in 1996 and 1999.
Ex-captain Ball, who also played in the 1992 FA Cup final for Sunderland, scored three top-flight goals but it was his all-action style that made him a fans favourite.
4) Darren Bent
Having made a name for himself at Ipswich and Charlton, Darren Bent joined Sunderland from Tottenham back in the summer of 2009.
The England international joined for a fee of around £15million and made an instant impact, scoring on his debut in a 1-0 win over Bolton.
Bent scored 24 league goals in his first season at the Stadium of Light and was named the club’s Player of the Year.
Although he didn’t hit the heights in his second term, he bagged eight goals in 20 league appearances as Sunderland finished 10th.
3) Jermain Defoe
Many thought Jermain Defoe’s best days were behind him prior to his move to Wearside, which came after a season in MLS with Toronto FC.
The striker was 32 when he joined the Black Cats and his experience proved crucial, as Sunderland stayed up in 2014-15, making himself a hero with a stunning volleyed winner against rivals Newcastle at the Stadium of Light.
Defoe played 33 times the next season and scored 15 goals, including the opener in a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park.
The following season, 2016-17, the former Tottenham man reached the 15 league goal mark again, even with Sunderland suffering relegation.
2) Niall Quinn
Not many people can say they have been a player, manager and chairman of the same club, but Niall Quinn fits into that category.
The Republic of Ireland international spent seven seasons at Sunderland, with five of those being in the Premier League.
His best top-flight tally came in the 1999-2000 campaign, when the striker scored 14 league goals as the Black Cats finished seventh, above the likes of Tottenham, Newcastle and Everton.
Quinn, who made over 200 appearances for the club, was part of a consortium that bought a controlling stake in Sunderland in 2006. He started as manager before then becoming chairman.
1) Kevin Phillips
Having joined Sunderland from Watford in 1997, Kevin Phillips is commonly referred to as the Black Cats best player of the Premier League era.
The striker helped the club reach the top-flight in 1999 and created history in his first Premier League campaign, scoring 30 league goals in 1999-2000.
That tally saw him win the European Golden Shoe and earn his first call-up for the senior England squad - making his debut against Hungary.
Overall, Phillips is fourth in Sunderland’s all-time leading scorer list, with 61 of his 118 goals for the Black Cats being scored in the Premier League.
