Sunderland legend Niall Quinn issues transfer plea to Jordan Henderson ahead of Premier League return | OneFootball

Henderson was present at Wembley to watch his boyhood club return to the top flight, but could a heroic comeback next season be on the agenda?

Sunderland icon Niall Quinn believes that Jordan Henderson coming back to the club for their Premier League return in 2025-26 would be a fantastic move, should it transpire.

The Black Cats dramatically secured their return to English football's top flight after eight years away, with teenager Tommy Watson sending half of Wembley into raptures with a stunning stoppage time goal, in what is a parting gift as he readies himself for a move to Brighton this summer.

With the transfer window opening in one week, Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris does not have much time to rest after his club's triumph, with the need to strengthen his squad evident based on how the three promoted teams from the Championship - Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town - have fared in 2024-25.

Niall Quinn reacts to potential Jordan Henderson, Sunderland reunion in 2025

One transfer that would make sense, despite there being plenty of depth in midfield currently, is Jordan Henderson.

A Wearsider born and bred, Henderson played 79 times for Sunderland before departing for Liverpool in 2011, where he went on to captain them to a Premier League title nine years later, as well as a UEFA Champions League win, whilst also leading England into multiple major tournaments.

Currently at Dutch giants Ajax with one year remaining on his contract, Henderson was at Wembley to watch Sunderland succeed on Saturday, and former striker and chairman of the club Niall Quinn believes it would be fantastic if he were to return for at least one more year now that they are back in the promised land.

"Well, I had it from the day Jordan left and Liverpool paid us £20million back in the day that there was a big wide door open for him any time he wanted to come back," Quinn told talkSPORT when asked as to whether Henderson's career should come full circle and return to the Stadium of Light.

"Obviously, it's not my business to do anything but just comment on that. But wouldn't it be something else?

"I think he's been a credit to the game, his hard work and his team play. He's a real sort of driver.

"He went up to Liverpool, that first year was really tough and a year later, Jordan turned it all around and he was a huge influence.

"To see him lift that Champions League trophy, I think made everybody in Sunderland very proud."

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Experience is always important for clubs being promoted to the Premier League, and in fairness to Sunderland they do not have a lot of it.

Their squad has for the most part been built on youth that has been flourishing in recent times, but you need an experienced head or two in there - even more so now that they will be back in the top flight.

Dan Neil has done an excellent job of being the holding midfielder for Sunderland this season, but in the tougher games next season, imagine the veteran that is Henderson next to him in the middle of the park - it would be a great homegrown duo to call upon.