Latest news with #LukeO'Nien
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Sunderland promotion bonuses revealed as Jobe Bellingham and co share out huge £7.75m for reaching Premier League
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A STUNNING £7.75million was split by Sunderland's promotion winners for reaching the Prem. Skipper Dan Neil and cult hero Luke O'Nien finished top of the table for appearances and will pick up more than £500,000 each. 2 Sunderland's playoff heroes have bagged a huge promotion bonus Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 2 Luke O'Nien is among those to bag £500k for taking the Black Cats back to the Prem Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The system is based on the number of games played in the campaign under Wearsiders' boss Regis Le Bris, who had his own personal jackpot. Each player received shares in the windfall. Starters were given four per game, subs received two and non-playing men on the bench got one. Neil and O'Nien, injured in the 2-1 Wembley play-off final win over Sheffield United, made 48 and 49 first-team starts respectively to qualify for the highest return. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL TRANSFER LATEST First window OPEN as PSG after Argentine wonderkid, City and Cherki 'close' Most of the squad played a large chunk of games, so will earn between £400,000 and £500,000. That is a large boost to pay packets, with young Chris Rigg, 17, in line for around £400k - which is roughly the same as his basic salary. Even after tax, that should mean a terrific bonus for the players who took the Black Cats to glory. The total available in the initial bonus system for the playing staff was £8m if they finished top. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK But the consolation of winning the play-offs was just £250,000 less. That is a huge result for the players, who saw the club bring in extra income with the three play-off games. Sky Sports forced to apologise as Sunderland star swears on live TV after last touch for club earns them promotion The £7.75m is higher than many other sides offered in recent years and also dwarfs the figure paid out by League One play-off winners Charlton. Addicks only handed out £750,000 in bonuses among the players on a similar pro rata basis. SunSport revealed on Sunday that Roma are poised to make a shock move for Sunderland skipper Neil. The Italian giants are keen on the hard-running midfielder who is aware of their interest and a £15million deal could be thrashed out. Neil's move would rock Sunderland, though, who are preparing to lose teenager Bellingham. The 19-year-old is already talking to clubs in Germany.
Rhyl Journal
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Tommy Watson: I dreamt of coming on to fire Sunderland back into Premier League
The 19-year-old substitute, who was making his final appearance for the Black Cats at Wembley before joining Brighton, scored the decisive goal five minutes into stoppage-time to seal a 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield United. Asked afterwards if he had sensed an opportunity to establish himself as a hero as he came off the bench, Watson told Sky Sports: 'A hundred per cent. I've been thinking of it for weeks. That story was written when I came off the bench and I couldn't have pictured it any better, to be honest. SUNDERLAND AFC ARE PREMIER LEAGUE!!!! 😍😍😍 — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 24, 2025 'I got closed down and I saw a little gap and I just used the defender and (put it) straight in the bottom corner.' Watson's strike, which came after Eliezer Mayenda had cancelled out Tyrese Campbell's first-half opener with 14 minutes remaining, sent the Sunderland faithful into raptures as the club's eight-year exile from the top flight drew to a close in dramatic fashion. He said: 'I think my celebration said it all. I can't really put it into words, to be honest. Just look around, it's unbelievable.' Asked about his impending departure, Watson added: 'We'll see each other in the Premier League next year in the big time.' Sunderland defender Luke O'Nien dislocated a shoulder just minutes into the Sky Bet Championship play-off final (John Walton/PA) For defender Luke O'Nien, it proved a bitter-sweet day as he lasted just eight minutes after dislocating a shoulder. Interviewed on the pitch afterwards with his right arm in a sling, he said: 'I don't know why you guys are interviewing me, although it's probably my best game in a Sunderland top since I joined the club. 'Do you know what? I'm so proud of these boys, I'm so proud. I can't really believe what I've just seen. I'm just unbelievably proud.' O'Nien is a veteran of the club's four-season spell in League One, but was a helpless bystander as his team-mates kept his dream alive. Reacting to the suggestion he is now a Sunderland great, he said: 'No, I haven't. Those boys, Tommy Watson, Sunderland legends. Those boys over there celebrating are Sunderland legends, I'm just delighted to play a part in this happiness. 'I did nothing, I didn't even play a part! Was just there on the side. I actually covered more distance when Eli scored celebrating and when Tommy scored than I did in my whole appearance today. 'Honestly, I'm so unbelievably grateful and indebted to these boys and this club for the rest of my life.' Regis Le Bris has guided Sunderland back into the Premier League after an eight-year absence (Nick Potts/PA) Head coach Regis Le Bris praised his team's resilience as they once again fought back to get the result they needed. The Frenchman said: 'It was a weird game. We didn't start it well, maybe a bit nervous and we knew before that they could be clinical, and they were. 'After that, I think this game represents the way we played this season, with resilience, with discipline to get back into the game, and we have talented players so we can score.' Opposite number Chris Wilder was left to reflect upon what might have been as his side's early dominance ultimately failed to pay dividends. Wilder said: 'It's a tough one to take from our point of view. Defining moments in the game… I never really felt in danger, even second half. 'Everybody talks about stats – I think we've had the biggest chances – but stats don't win games. They've found their moments, we haven't found our moments. They find themselves in the Premier League and we've got to go again.'
South Wales Argus
24-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Tommy Watson: I dreamt of coming on to fire Sunderland back into Premier League
The 19-year-old substitute, who was making his final appearance for the Black Cats at Wembley before joining Brighton, scored the decisive goal five minutes into stoppage-time to seal a 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield United. Asked afterwards if he had sensed an opportunity to establish himself as a hero as he came off the bench, Watson told Sky Sports: 'A hundred per cent. I've been thinking of it for weeks. That story was written when I came off the bench and I couldn't have pictured it any better, to be honest. SUNDERLAND AFC ARE PREMIER LEAGUE!!!! 😍😍😍 — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 24, 2025 'I got closed down and I saw a little gap and I just used the defender and (put it) straight in the bottom corner.' Watson's strike, which came after Eliezer Mayenda had cancelled out Tyrese Campbell's first-half opener with 14 minutes remaining, sent the Sunderland faithful into raptures as the club's eight-year exile from the top flight drew to a close in dramatic fashion. He said: 'I think my celebration said it all. I can't really put it into words, to be honest. Just look around, it's unbelievable.' Asked about his impending departure, Watson added: 'We'll see each other in the Premier League next year in the big time.' Sunderland defender Luke O'Nien dislocated a shoulder just minutes into the Sky Bet Championship play-off final (John Walton/PA) For defender Luke O'Nien, it proved a bitter-sweet day as he lasted just eight minutes after dislocating a shoulder. Interviewed on the pitch afterwards with his right arm in a sling, he said: 'I don't know why you guys are interviewing me, although it's probably my best game in a Sunderland top since I joined the club. 'Do you know what? I'm so proud of these boys, I'm so proud. I can't really believe what I've just seen. I'm just unbelievably proud.' O'Nien is a veteran of the club's four-season spell in League One, but was a helpless bystander as his team-mates kept his dream alive. Reacting to the suggestion he is now a Sunderland great, he said: 'No, I haven't. Those boys, Tommy Watson, Sunderland legends. Those boys over there celebrating are Sunderland legends, I'm just delighted to play a part in this happiness. 'I did nothing, I didn't even play a part! Was just there on the side. I actually covered more distance when Eli scored celebrating and when Tommy scored than I did in my whole appearance today. 'Honestly, I'm so unbelievably grateful and indebted to these boys and this club for the rest of my life.' Regis Le Bris has guided Sunderland back into the Premier League after an eight-year absence (Nick Potts/PA) Head coach Regis Le Bris praised his team's resilience as they once again fought back to get the result they needed. The Frenchman said: 'It was a weird game. We didn't start it well, maybe a bit nervous and we knew before that they could be clinical, and they were. 'After that, I think this game represents the way we played this season, with resilience, with discipline to get back into the game, and we have talented players so we can score.' Opposite number Chris Wilder was left to reflect upon what might have been as his side's early dominance ultimately failed to pay dividends. Wilder said: 'It's a tough one to take from our point of view. Defining moments in the game… I never really felt in danger, even second half. 'Everybody talks about stats – I think we've had the biggest chances – but stats don't win games. They've found their moments, we haven't found our moments. They find themselves in the Premier League and we've got to go again.'
Glasgow Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Tommy Watson: I dreamt of coming on to fire Sunderland back into Premier League
The 19-year-old substitute, who was making his final appearance for the Black Cats at Wembley before joining Brighton, scored the decisive goal five minutes into stoppage-time to seal a 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield United. Asked afterwards if he had sensed an opportunity to establish himself as a hero as he came off the bench, Watson told Sky Sports: 'A hundred per cent. I've been thinking of it for weeks. That story was written when I came off the bench and I couldn't have pictured it any better, to be honest. SUNDERLAND AFC ARE PREMIER LEAGUE!!!! 😍😍😍 — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 24, 2025 'I got closed down and I saw a little gap and I just used the defender and (put it) straight in the bottom corner.' Watson's strike, which came after Eliezer Mayenda had cancelled out Tyrese Campbell's first-half opener with 14 minutes remaining, sent the Sunderland faithful into raptures as the club's eight-year exile from the top flight drew to a close in dramatic fashion. He said: 'I think my celebration said it all. I can't really put it into words, to be honest. Just look around, it's unbelievable.' Asked about his impending departure, Watson added: 'We'll see each other in the Premier League next year in the big time.' Sunderland defender Luke O'Nien dislocated a shoulder just minutes into the Sky Bet Championship play-off final (John Walton/PA) For defender Luke O'Nien, it proved a bitter-sweet day as he lasted just eight minutes after dislocating a shoulder. Interviewed on the pitch afterwards with his right arm in a sling, he said: 'I don't know why you guys are interviewing me, although it's probably my best game in a Sunderland top since I joined the club. 'Do you know what? I'm so proud of these boys, I'm so proud. I can't really believe what I've just seen. I'm just unbelievably proud.' O'Nien is a veteran of the club's four-season spell in League One, but was a helpless bystander as his team-mates kept his dream alive. Reacting to the suggestion he is now a Sunderland great, he said: 'No, I haven't. Those boys, Tommy Watson, Sunderland legends. Those boys over there celebrating are Sunderland legends, I'm just delighted to play a part in this happiness. 'I did nothing, I didn't even play a part! Was just there on the side. I actually covered more distance when Eli scored celebrating and when Tommy scored than I did in my whole appearance today. 'Honestly, I'm so unbelievably grateful and indebted to these boys and this club for the rest of my life.' Regis Le Bris has guided Sunderland back into the Premier League after an eight-year absence (Nick Potts/PA) Head coach Regis Le Bris praised his team's resilience as they once again fought back to get the result they needed. The Frenchman said: 'It was a weird game. We didn't start it well, maybe a bit nervous and we knew before that they could be clinical, and they were. 'After that, I think this game represents the way we played this season, with resilience, with discipline to get back into the game, and we have talented players so we can score.' Opposite number Chris Wilder was left to reflect upon what might have been as his side's early dominance ultimately failed to pay dividends. Wilder said: 'It's a tough one to take from our point of view. Defining moments in the game… I never really felt in danger, even second half. 'Everybody talks about stats – I think we've had the biggest chances – but stats don't win games. They've found their moments, we haven't found our moments. They find themselves in the Premier League and we've got to go again.'
The Irish Sun
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Championship play-off final delayed by sickening injury as Sunderland captain heartbreakingly forced off in minutes
THE Championship play-off final has been delayed because of an injury to Sunderland captain Luke O'Nien. The defender appeared to break his finger in the third minute. Advertisement 1 Sunderland captain Luke O'Nien was forced off with injury The incident occurred as he went to challenge Sheffield United ace Kieffer Moore for a header, with the striker almost scoring. O'Nien fell to the ground and immediately required treatment from the phyios. He was attended to for several minutes and doctors placed a brace over finger on his right hand. A stretcher was brought out onto the pitch but was not required, with O'Nien walking off. Advertisement However the Black Cats skipper did appear to be in a lot of pain as he trudged off. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at
