Sunderland defender Luke O’Nien is closing in on a massive milestone ahead of the upcoming clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
Looking at the current crop of Sunderland players, Luke O’Nien stands head-and-shoulders above as one that has dedicated a huge chunk of his career to Wearside.
Since joining before the 2018/19 League One campaign from Wycombe Wanderers, he has been a crucial figure in the squad, steering Sunderland out of the depths of League One, to where the Black Cats find themselves now, challenging for promotion to the Premier League.
The Sunderland defender is now closing in on a massive milestone, with the upcoming clash against Sheffield Wednesday set to be his 300th donning the famous red & white, a feat managed by only four players preceding him.
Ahead of his 300th game for Sunderland, we have looked at his most memorable moments for the Black Cats…
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Top five Sunderland moments for Luke O’Nien
EFL Trophy win heroics
During the 2020/21 League One season, Sunderland managed to pick up silverware in the EFL Trophy.
A tense clash with Tranmere Rovers saw Sunderland edge out a 1-0 win, with Lynden Gooch’s goal being the difference-maker.
Lee Johnson’s side had difficulty getting to the final as well, only beating fellow League One side Lincoln City on penalties, with O’Nien stepping up to take his penalty second for Sunderland, striking it past now-Premier League goalkeeper Alex Palmer.
Luke O’Nien being Luke O’Nien
O’Nien’s tenure on Wearside, from an outside perspective, is littered with highlights, not in regards to top performances and silverware, but more his antics on the pitch.
From his creative way of preventing a Bristol City counter attack at the Stadium of Light, to his altercation with Norwich City man Jacob Sorensen, alongside the most recent clattering of an assistant referee, before brandishing the linesman’s flag, O’Nien’s personality has shone through, alongside his brilliant dedication to the club.
League One play-off final success
Sunderland’s biggest achievement in recent years has undoubtedly been their play-off final success in the 2021/22 season, a year after the disastrous proceedings at Wembley against Charlton Athletic.
The Black Cats had to dispatch a solid Sheffield Wednesday side in the semi-finals, with O’Nien notching 90 minutes in both legs as Sunderland won 2-1 on aggregate.
The final unfolded in much less dramatic circumstances to the preceding year, with Sunderland notching a 1-0 victory within 90 minutes.
It was a crucial moment for Sunderland and O’Nien as their four-year hiatus from the Championship finally came to an end.
Massive tackle in Wear-Tyne derby
Sunderland’s highly-anticipated derby clash with Newcastle United in the FA Cup saw Luke O’Nien captain the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light.
Newcastle United came out as 3-0 winners, but Sunderland were by no means disgraced in the contest, with the Magpies’ fully strength side occasionally being up against the cosh against the Black Cats.
The game didn’t quite go Sunderland and O’Nien’s way, but he still made a name for himself in typical derby style, clattering into Lewis Miley and letting off a roar into the barmy Stadium of Light crowd.
Current successes under Regis Le Bris
Ahead of the 2024/25 season, O’Nien was named as Sunderland’s club captain. In the opening weekend of the new season, he scored against Cardiff City for his first goal of the campaign, following up the away visit to Wales with a goal against Sheffield Wednesday in the first home game under new boss Le Bris.
Since then, Sunderland have come on leaps and bounds, currently sitting 4th in the Championship table, and despite a recent dip in form, look set to finish in the play-offs for the second time in three recent campaigns.
As club captain, O’Nien is on track to potentially become Sunderland’s leading appearance holder, and that is a milestone that he certainly deserves to reach, having given blood, sweat and tears during his spell at the club, one that hopefully holds more twists in the future.