But a glance outside the Premier League shows a host of players who spent their formative years at the Academy of Light - showing how the Black Cats’ impact stretches throughout the footballing pyramid.
Earlier this week, the Echo ran a series of articles investigating the current state of the Black Cats’ famed academy. You can read each part by clicking below:
Here, we cast an eye over 17 highly-rated players who progressed through the Sunderland youth system and now play elsewhere. How many can you remember?
1. Peter Hartley
The central defender made a single first appearance for the Black Cats after graduating the club’s academy, before joining Hartlepool United. He was most recently a regular for Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League, before being released this summer. Photo: Steve Welsh
2. Liam Noble
Allowed to join Carlisle United after breaking through Sunderland’s youth set-up, Noble enjoyed success at Forest Green and Notts County before joining Hartlepool United in 2018. He left Victoria Park earlier this season to join Morpeth Town. Photo: Ben Hoskins
3. Jak Alnwick
It’s often forgotten, but Alnwick Jr (whose older brother, Ben, was a more prominent name on Wearside) spent time in Sunderland’s academy before being snapped-up by Newcastle United in 2008. He was on loan at Blackpool last season and has since joined St Mirren. Photo: Pete Norton
4. Blair Adams
Left-back Adams had a good career in the EFL after leaving Sunderland - turning out for Coventry City and Notts County among others - and is now helping South Shields in their surge up the footballing pyramid. Photo: Pete Norton