Sunderland AFC set for £7.75m play-off windfall - Dan Neil and Luke O’Nien are the biggest winners | OneFootball

Sunderland's successful play-off campaign has resulted in huge bonuses for the entire squad, splitting a £7.75m windfall between themselves

Sunderland's successful play-off campaign has resulted in massive financial gain for the entire squad, splitting a £7.75m windfall between themselves.

According to reports from journalist Alan Nixon, the Black Cats' promotion bonus system is based on appearances throughout the season, so the most regular and consistent performers at the club will earn the most from their Championship promotion-winning success.

It will lead to some bumper payouts for first-teamers, with two players in particular leading the way.

Huge windfall rewards Sunderland AFC's promotion winners

Sunderland's return to the Premier League after winning the play-offs has triggered one of the most generous bonus schemes seen in recent years.

The £7.75m total represents a substantial investment in rewarding the players who secured promotion - with the figure only £250k less than what would have been available had Sunderland finished in the automatic spots.

Understandably, the bonus pool exceeds the rewards offered to the League One play-off winners significantly - yet again demonstrating the gulf in money between divisions in English football.

It is worth noting this promotion bonus is entirely separate from the club's regular transfer and wage budgets - manager Regis Le Bris has also secured his own bonus from the success, but the Frenchman's total is separate from that split with the players.

Dan Neil and Luke O'Nien lead the way with maximum appearance rewards for Sunderland

Captain Luke O'Nien and midfield general Dan Neil have emerged as the biggest winners from this promotion bonus scheme - with both players making 49 and 48 first-team appearances respectively, they are positioned to receive the maximum payout of over £500k each.

The appearance-based model is perhaps the fairest approach to use when distributing a windfall of this amount - avoiding any potential quarms over subjective performances.

The majority of Sunderland's first-team squad still stand to benefit a huge amount - with most players expected to pocket between £400k and £500k.

17-year-old Chris Rigg's expected £400k windfall roughly equates to his basic annual salary - which just tells you even more how mind-blowing these figures are.

After tax, most players will receive approximately £300k, perhaps a very good incentive before preparing for the challenges Premier League football brings.

There is no doubt that the windfall will add even more positivity to the Wearside air for players - the generosity of the sum could be extra motivation to give a good account of themselves next season.