Manchester United starboy to play-off heroes: Kristjaan Speakman’s best Sunderland signings
After five years, Sunderland announced the surprise departure of Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman.
He oversaw three Wembley wins, two promotions and a remarkable first season in the Premier League, all while creating a model of buying young players and selling them for a profit.
Following the Sporting Director’s surprise departure, here are five of his best transfers pre-Florent Ghisolfi on Wearside:
Ross Stewart
Stewart was Speakman’s first signing as Sunderland’s Sporting Director and it was a hugely impactful one.
He made 80 appearances, scoring an impressive 40 goals and helping the club to the Championship via the play-offs, scoring in the semi-final and final.
After promotion, Stewart continued his remarkable form, scoring 10 in 13 games before suffering an achilles issue that has troubled him ever since.
After arriving for a rumoured fee of £300,000 from Ross County, he was sold for around £10 million to Southampton.
Amad Diallo
Diallo was a last-minute Transfer Deadline Day signing in 2022 in the Championship and he revolutionised the club in his season long loan.
During his spell on Wearside, he scored 14 goals in 42 games, assisted four and made a brilliant partnership with Patrick Roberts and Alex Pritchard.
The trio became unplayable in games which saw Sunderland finish sixth in their first season in the Championship.
Despite winning their home leg in their play-off semi-final to Luton, an injury-deprived squad fell to an agonising defeat to eventual play-off winners, Luton Town.
Diallo went back to Manchester United a Sunderland hero, with him creating a unique connection to the fans.
Jobe Bellingham
Bellingham, the brother of Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, arrived on Wearside as Sunderland prepared for their second season back in the Championship.
Jobe became one of the first names on the team sheet, playing across several positions, scoring 11 and assisting four times.
In this time, Jobe helped the club gain promotion to the Premier League, while making a great partnership with captain Dan Neil in midfield.
Jobe joined Sunderland from Birmingham City for around £1.75 million and was sold to Borussia Dortmund following promotion for around £31 million; still only 19.
Jack Clarke
Clarke joined while Sunderland were in League One, initially on loan from Tottenham before making the move permanent.
During his time on Wearside, he played 114 games, scoring 28 and assisting 23 times.
His goals helped Sunderland finish in the top six in their first season in the Championship, scoring their first goal back in the league against Coventry.
After a disappointing 16th place finish the following year, Clarke was sold to Ipswich for around £18 million, while Sunderland bought him for around £4 million.
Dan Ballard
Ballard joined for a rumoured £2.5 million following the club’s promotion to the Championship, playing 112 times, scoring eight and assisting three.
Despite having some injury problems, Ballard helping the club return to the top flight with three monumental games in the play-offs, scoring the last-second winner against Coventry in the second-leg at the Stadium of Light.
Following their return to the Premier League, he has been a brick wall at the back, alongside the new signings, with Sunderland holding a remarkable defensive record.
