Look, though he bought stupidly despatched off on the weekend, Luke O’Nien has absolutely cemented his legacy as one of many best Sunderland gamers. I’d even argue that he may obtain straight crimson playing cards for the remainder of his profession and nonetheless not lose the love of so many supporters.
Luke O’Nien’s Sunderland journey is nearly a story as previous as time. Delivered to Sunderland in 2018 forward of the membership’s first season in League One, he had fairly a rocky begin. However O’Nien thrived at Sunderland, successful the 2018/19 Sunderland Younger Participant of the Yr, featured within the 2020/21 EFL League One Staff of the Season, and starred within the promotion successful squad of 2021/22.
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However they’re simply statistics.
O’Nien’s actual legacy on the membership comes from the unhinged antics he will get as much as on the pitch. We merely can’t overlook the double whammy of February and March 2023 with the from Bristol Metropolis’s Alex Scott and the gifted to Norwich Metropolis’s Jacob Sorensen.
Luke additionally cemented his standing off the pitch via his assist for the area people and honesty about his powerful journey in soccer. This reference to the followers meant that he was awarded ‘Membership Captain’ in 2024/25.
No matter his new title, the antics didn’t cease there. On thirty first August 2024, he scored an personal aim which single-headedly ended Sunderland’s 389 minute run with out conceding. He tweeted: ‘No celebrations for my third aim of the season, however delighted to be the one man to attain previous Anthony Patterson this season’. Regardless of inflicting us ache, no less than he made us snort alongside the way in which.
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In December 2024, O’Nien made membership historical past by shattering the file for probably the most appearances held on the Stadium of Gentle.
He then proceeded to get again as much as mischief in February, and deciding to wave his flag. Luke performed 47 occasions within the Premier League promotion successful season and, regardless of a nasty damage within the 2nd minute of the Playoff Closing, he claims he ‘lined extra distance celebrating’ than he did taking part in.
Quick ahead to 2025/26 and it’s been a tricky few months for Luke. After having introduced Sunderland all the way in which from League One for the final 7 years, it’s been painful for followers to observe him not get any recreation time attributable to his damage. Nonetheless, following him lastly being placed on the substitute bench in opposition to Manchester United in October, O’Nien posted a really emotional assertion to his Instagram:
‘From sitting on the ground in non-league to strolling out on the Theatre of Desires, all in simply over a decade. I bear in mind sitting on the grass at Wealdstone as a result of the bench was full, ready for my probability and hoping for a second to show myself. Final weekend, after a protracted layoff, I used to be sitting on the bench at Previous Trafford within the Premier League. It’s humorous how life comes full circle’.
Then, in the end, in Gameweek 14’s midweek conflict between Sunderland and present title holders Liverpool, away at Anfield, Luke O’Nien lastly made his Premier League debut.
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He was substituted on within the 91st minute for goalscorer Talbi and our feelings have been laid naked. I gained’t affirm nor deny whether or not I shed a tear or two when he was introduced on.
In an emotional most-match interview, O’Nien instructed: ‘my spouse stated my youngsters have been up [and] they have been leaping up and down once I got here on’. He continued with: ‘to come back this far with this unimaginable membership, with the fanbase, I believe, for the primary time in my Sunderland profession, I’m misplaced for phrases’.
So thanks, Mr Sunderland, for staying with us via thick and skinny. No less than you haven’t been given two straight crimson playing cards but.
Luke’s full post-match caption could be learn under:
“For years, I’ve dreamed about taking part in within the Premier League. Some folks laughed at me. Some coaches I had once I was little stated I’d by no means make it. A lot of folks instructed me I wasn’t ok and to surrender. However I’ve all the time held on to that dream of taking part in on the highest stage. Deep down I believed that if I simply saved working, saved studying, saved displaying up each single day, then in the future it would occur.
“Final evening, that dream that 4 12 months previous me had… got here true.
“And when you’d instructed me I’d make my debut at left wing, up in opposition to my mate Mo Salah, I’d have laughed as nicely. From non-league in 2014, to being launched by Watford in 2015… there have been moments the place it felt like today would possibly by no means come.
“Sunderland, you’ve been my house for seven years. I by no means knew I may fall in love with a membership, a metropolis, and its folks the way in which I’ve. You’ve given me house to develop, to fail, to study, and to search out out who I’m as a participant and an individual. To play even a small half in rebuilding this lovely membership and serving to it climb again to the place it belongs is one thing I’ll all the time be pleased with.
“Making my Premier League debut… I’m extremely grateful. Taking a second afterwards to face with my mum and pop and breathe all of it in… that was particular. However that debut chapter is written now. The main focus is on pushing on, bettering, rising, and serving to drive this membership ahead with this unbelievable group of gamers.
“Seven years in the past we have been in League One. Quick ahead to final evening and we have now a workforce giving all the pieces, upset to solely get one level in opposition to the Premier League champions. If that’s not a second to cease, mirror, and really feel proud, I don’t know what’s.
“Thanks to everybody who’s been a part of this journey; my household, my pals, the employees, the supporters, and my teammates.
“It’s only the start ❤️”