Five who played for Sunderland and Everton as Black Cats head to Goodison finale | OneFootball

Sunderland visit Everton this weekend, and, as Sunderland Echo highlights, several familiar faces have represented both clubs.

Jordan Pickford, a Sunderland academy product, made 35 senior appearances before joining Everton in 2017. Now 32, he has 350-plus Everton games, four Player of the Season awards and could reach a third World Cup, and is almost certain to get a warm reception on Sunday.

Aiden McGeady joined Everton from Spartak Moscow in January 2014, then signed for Sunderland for £250,000 under Simon Grayson. He stayed after relegation, played at Wembley despite a broken foot, helped win promotion in 2021-22 and later rejoined Lee Johnson at Hibernian.

Kevin Kilbane arrived in 1999 from West Bromwich Albion and featured in consecutive seventh-place finishes. After a sour end and relegation he joined Everton, where he made 121 appearances in three years and helped clinch Champions League football in 2004-05.

Gavin McCann came through Everton’s academy, joined Sunderland in 1998 and made 131 appearances, including 11 in the 1999 promotion season. He earned one England cap in a 3-0 win over Spain in 2001, then left for Aston Villa after the 2002-03 relegation.

Jack Rodwell broke through at Everton at 16, played 109 times, then moved to Manchester City for £12million before joining Sunderland for £10million. He scored on his home debut in a 1-1 draw but made only 76 appearances, and after Coleman said he refused to play, which he denied, his contract was terminated following relegation to League One.

Source: Sunderland Echo