Latest news with #LukeONien
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Sunderland promotion bonuses revealed as Jobe Bellingham and co share out huge £7.75m for reaching Premier League
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 2 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. 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.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Wycombe Wanderers man achieves promotion to the Premier League
Former Wycombe Wanderers man Luke O'Nien will be a Premier League player next season after he helped Sunderland win promotion out of the Championship. The midfielder, who spent three years at Adams Park between 2015 and 2018, started in the 2-1 victory against Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium on May 24, but suffered a dislocated shoulder just eight minutes into the contest. The Black Cats found themselves a goal down midway through the first-half thanks to Tyreece Campbell's brilliant finish, but Eliezer Mayenda's goal on 77 minutes and Tom Watson's strike deep into stoppage time secured the North East team's place in the top-flight for the first time since 2017. Former Wycombe man Luke O'Nien will be a Premier League player next season. Released by Watford, learnt his trade at Adams Park and he has now built something special at Sunderland. Congrats @LukeONien! #Chairboys — James Richings (@James_BFP) May 24, 2025 For O'Nien, who has been coined Mr Sunderland in recent years, the win at Wembley will start a new chapter in his career, which seemed like a pipe dream 10 years ago. Starting his career at Watford, the robust defensive midfielder played just one first-team game and had two successful separate loan spells at Non League Wealdstone, before being released by the Hornets in the summer of 2015 - the same year they won promotion to the Premier League. A free transfer to League Two Wycombe followed, and under Gareth Ainsworth, O'Nien proved his capabilities as an EFL player. He featured 119 times in all competitions, scored 16 goals and won promotion to League One in his final season. When @LukeONien achieved his first promotion. Beyond delighted for him today! — Matt Cecil (@mattcecil87) May 24, 2025 In 2018, a big-money move to Sunderland, who were now in the same league as Wanderers, followed after the club suffered back-to-back relegations, and in his first year in the North East, he suffered the pain of losing two Wembley finals. These were against Portsmouth in the EFL Trophy final and Charlton Athletic in the play-offs, respectively. Two seasons later in 2021, Sunderland once again reached the play-offs but lost in the semi-finals against Lincoln City, but they did win that year's EFL Trophy final against Tranmere Rovers, which O'Nien played in. It was the first time he had been victorious at the home of English football. Twelve months later, he won another Wembley final – this time against his former club Wycombe in the 2022 League One play-off showpiece, before his latest triumph under the arch against Sheffield United. NEW: Luke O'Nien says he 'wouldn't swap anything' on a 'perfect' afternoon for Sunderland 🔴⚪️🏆 The defender was forced off in the opening minutes because of a dislocated shoulder, but was overjoyed that Sunderland are a Premier League club again 🆙#SAFC — Daniel Wales (@danielwales023) May 24, 2025 The victory against the Blades means O'Nien has now achieved promotion from League Two to the Premier League. Wycombe Wanderers 2018 League Two promotion winner Sunderland 2019 EFL Trophy runner-up 2019 League One play-off runner-up 2021 EFL Trophy winner 2022 League One play-off winner 2025 Championship play-off winner
BreakingNews.ie
24-05-2025
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Tommy Watson: I dreamt of coming on to fire Sunderland back into Premier League
Teenager Tommy Watson has revealed he dreamt of coming off the bench to fire Sunderland into the 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. Advertisement 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. '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.' Advertisement 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.' Advertisement 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.' Advertisement 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.' A sea of red and white 🔴⚪️ @SheffieldUnited | @SunderlandAFC #EFLPlayOffs — Wembley Stadium (@wembleystadium) May 24, 2025 Sport Super sub Tommy Watson fires Sunderland into Premi... Read More Opposite number Chris Wilder was left to reflect upon what might have been as his side's early dominance ultimately failed to pay dividends. Advertisement 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.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sunderland seal Premier League return with dramatic playoff final victory
Sunderland are back in the Premier League after eight years away, clinching promotion with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Sheffield United in the Championship playoff final at Wembley. A stoppage-time winner from academy graduate Tommy Watson sealed the win, sending the red-and-white half of Wembley into delirium. The 19-year-old latched onto a mistake by Kieffer Moore and drove a low shot into the bottom corner, writing his name into club folklore. Watson, who joined the club as an under-nine, had only been on the pitch for 20 minutes. He will leave for Brighton this summer in a £10 million deal, but his final act in a Sunderland shirt could scarcely have been more significant. Captain Luke O'Nien, who dislocated his shoulder just eight minutes in, charged down the touchline in a sling to celebrate Watson's goal. His determination summed up a team that refused to be overawed by the occasion. Sheffield United had taken the lead in the first half through Tyrese Campbell, who finished smartly after a Gus Hamer breakaway. But the Blades lost control after Hamer went off with cramp in the 72nd minute. Sunderland took just three minutes to take advantage. Substitute Patrick Roberts split the defence with an outside-of-the-boot pass and Eliezer Mayenda equalised with a thunderous finish into the top corner. From there, the momentum shifted. Sheffield United pressed for a winner but could not beat Anthony Patterson, who made a sharp early save to deny Moore. They thought they had gone ahead again through Harrison Burrows, but VAR ruled out the goal for offside interference. Sunderland, the youngest side in the division with an average age of 24.3, held firm. Manager Regis Le Bris made bold changes and they paid off. The Frenchman has guided a vibrant, fearless team beyond expectations. As the final whistle blew, players collapsed in joy. O'Nien lifted the trophy in front of Sunderland fans who had taken over Trafalgar Square the night before. Club legends like Jordan Henderson and Kevin Phillips watched on from the stands. The Premier League has gained back a big club with a vast fanbase. Sunderland averaged 40,000 supporters this season, more than several top-flight sides. Whether they can stay up is a question for next season. But on Saturday, they earned their moment. They dreamed and they delivered.
The Independent
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Tommy Watson: I dreamt of coming on to fire Sunderland back into Premier League
Teenager Tommy Watson has revealed he dreamt of coming off the bench to fire Sunderland into the 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. '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.' 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.' 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.'
