As Sunderland prepares for its Europa League campaign, the club's fans are eager to see how their team will perform against a diverse set of opponents. This season, Sunderland will face AZ Alkmaar, Dinamo Zagreb, Jagiellonia Bialystok, and Levski Sofia at home, while also traveling to play AC Milan, Anderlecht, Lech Poznan, and SCU Torreense. With such a varied lineup, it’s interesting to explore the players who have donned both the Sunderland jersey and that of these European clubs.
Among the notable connections, two current Sunderland players have previously played for Belgian club Anderlecht. Noah Sadiki, who joined Anderlecht at age six, made his first-team debut in 2022 under the guidance of manager Vincent Kompany. Over his time with the club, he made 18 appearances, including three in the UEFA Conference League. Following a successful stint at Union SG, where he played 108 matches and participated in ten Europa League games, Sadiki joined Sunderland last summer. His performances in the Premier League have already made him a standout player for the Black Cats.
Nilson Angulo is another Sunderland player with ties to Anderlecht. After beginning his career in Ecuador, Angulo moved to Anderlecht at 18, where he became a key player in the Belgian league, making 94 appearances and contributing ten goals and 11 assists. He joined Sunderland in January 2023, adding depth to the squad as they aim for success in both domestic and European competitions.
Looking at Sunderland's history with AC Milan, two players stand out: Fabio Borini and Sulley Muntari. Borini had two spells with Sunderland, playing a total of 93 matches. His first season was particularly memorable, as he scored crucial goals during the club's fight against relegation. After a brief loan to Milan, he made a permanent move to the Italian giants, where he continued to develop his career.
Sulley Muntari, the Ghanaian international, also has a notable history with both clubs. After a loan spell at Sunderland from Inter Milan, Muntari moved to AC Milan, where he enjoyed a successful period, winning several titles, including the Champions League. His experience in both clubs adds a layer of intrigue as Sunderland prepares to face Milan in the upcoming Europa League.
Two more players with connections to Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar are Jozy Altidore and Jeremain Lens. Altidore joined Sunderland from AZ in 2013 but struggled to replicate his impressive scoring record from the Netherlands. Despite a challenging time at Sunderland, he played a pivotal role in some key moments, including an assist in a crucial derby match against Newcastle. Lens, who started his career at AZ, later joined Sunderland, where he had a memorable but tumultuous tenure, including a standout goal against West Ham.
Additionally, Jordi Gomez is the only player to have played for both Sunderland and Bulgarian side Levski Sofia. After signing for Sunderland in 2014, he had a brief but impactful spell before moving to Bulgaria, where he continued his career. Lastly, Max Stryjek, a former Sunderland youth player, currently plays for Jagiellonia Bialystok after a series of loan spells and a brief stint in the Scottish leagues.
As Sunderland embarks on this season’s Europa League journey, the connections between the Black Cats and their opponents highlight the rich tapestry of football history. The matches promise to be exciting, not only for the competition but also for the stories of players who have crossed paths with both Sunderland and their European rivals.
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