Some Sunderland fans might not even remember that Danny Welbeck once played for the Mackems, but the Brighton man certainly hasn’t forgotten that brief spell.
It’s been a brilliant weekend for Sunderland fans, with Regis Le Bris’ men registering a win over Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night to get back to winning ways.
Then, on Sunday afternoon, local rivals Newcastle United were booted out of the FA Cup after losing to Brighton and Hove Albion in extra-time, with Danny Welbeck bagging the crucial goal to decide the tie.
Seeing the Magpies lose is always a treat for the Black Cats, but Welbeck’s post match comments will please those on Wearside even more.
Danny Welbeck still loves Sunderland
Danny Welbeck may have only spent one season at the Stadium of Light, but it obviously had a profound effect on the striker, as it does for most players who turn up on Wearside.
In a video shared to Brighton’s official Twitter/X account featuring the Seagulls’ star players head down the tunnel at St. James’ Park after the game, Welbeck had a very special message to share that will strike a chord with Sunderland fans.
Smiling, Welbeck said: “Someone gave me some stick out there… They don’t know I’m a Mackem at heart.”
Those five words, twinned with the killer blow he delivered on the day, will be enough to endear Welbeck to the Sunderland faithful for life, we’re sure.
Remembering Danny Welbeck’s brief spell at Sunderland
Welbeck spent the 2010/11 campaign on loan at Sunderland from Manchester United — the only loan spell of his career, incidentally.
He played 28 games for the Mackems during that season, scoring six goals and registering one assist under the stewardship of former Sunderland manager Steve Bruce.
| Statistics | Danny Welbeck at Sunderland |
| Appearances | 26 |
| Minutes | 1,756 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Assist | 1 |
| Shots on target/90 | 0.87 |
| Goals per shot on target | 0.35 |
Welbeck had a short thigh injury keeping him out of action during that season, and also fell out of favour towards the end of the campaign, missing the final four matches as the Black Cats finished tenth in the Premier League table.
He might not have had the biggest impact at Sunderland — certainly not as impressive as Amad Diallo’s time there — but Welbeck may well be the most successful player to have been borrowed by the Black Cats, at least in terms of career longevity.