GALLERY: Luke O'Nien's Sunderland story so far in pictures

Luke O'Nien played his 200th game for Sunderland on New Year's Day, so now seems like a good time to remember all he has given the club.

Lynsey Thompson | Jan 3, 2023

GALLERY: Luke O'Nien's Sunderland story so far in pictures /

Players come and go in football, but very few leave the kind of mark on a club that Luke O'Nien has at Sunderland.

The former Wycombe Wanderers man arrived as a complete unknown and yet it is now unimaginable that he could play for anyone else.

One of the things that endears O'Nien to the Sunderland fans so much is that he has been through it all with them.

The League One years saw a big turnover of players, and O'Nien and Gooch are the only ones who stuck with us for it all.

O'Nien played his 200th game for the Black Cats at Blackpool, saying afterwards: “I'm dead proud.

“I would have loved to see it with a win, but I can only thank everyone connected to the club for giving me this opportunity.

“I've loved it since day one. I got off to a tough start, but I love putting the red and white on and stepping out with the boys and trying to fight for the points with everyone behind us.

“I love it. Let's try to get a lot more [appearances]."

So, let's take a a pictorial stroll down memory lane to look at Luke O'Nien's Sunderland story -so far.

O'Nien joined ahead of the 2018/19 season but a slow start saw him have to fight for his spot in the Sunderland side.

Typically, he was very much up for the challenge and before long he was a crucial part of the team. He also scored one of the goals of the season in a 1-1 draw with Charlton.

That goal came after being shifted to right-back, and he would play far more games for Sunderland in defence than midfield.

Sunderland went to the League One play-off final where Charlton awaited to deliver more heartbreak. O'Nien got a nasty head injury at Wembley after a collision with Darren Pratley.

He didn't let that stop him, though, playing most of the match with a bandaged head.

The following season was the lowest point in the club's history. The League One season was shortened due to Covid and Sunderland finished 8th. O'Nien still impressed though.

As a result of the pandemic, the whole of the 2020/21 season was played behind closed doors.O'Nien played most of it at centre-back and popped up with the occasional goal - this one at Oxford.

There were also lows, though, with him sent off in the home game against Portsmouth.

There was also silverware instead, as O'Nien starred for Sunderland at an empty Wembley in the Papa Johns Pizza trophy.

He got his hands on the cup...

... and it wasn't the only trophy he came away with either. He was also awarded man of the match.

Once again, though, the season ended in disappointment with play-off defeat. This time it was Lincoln in the semi-final that condemned Sunderland to another season in League One.O'Nien was then out of contract, and Championship offers came in.

However, he was back at Sunderland the next season and even more motivated than ever.

His season, though, was blighted by a shoulder injury that eventually needed surgery.

Thankfully he was able to return for the run-in, and was back among the goals too in a vital win over Fleetwood.

Sticking around proved to be a great decision too, as Sunderland were back at Wembley and successful again - this time in the League One play-offs.

O'Nien was the only player on the pitch who played against Charlton in the final three years earlier. Lynden Gooch was an unused sub in 2019.

O'Nien found himself out of the team when Sunderland stepped back into the Championship. Typically, though, he didn't complain. He just waited his chance and took it. That chance came against Norwich with Dan Ballard fractured his foot.

And Luke O'Nien has been immovable since, making his 200th appearance for Sunderland in the 1-1 draw at Blackpool.

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