OTD: BAILEY WRIGHT DEBUT

On this day in 2020, former Sunderland defender Bailey Wright made his debut for the Lads in a 1-0 away victory against Tranmere Rovers in League One. The Australia international played just over 100 times for us, helping us to promotion to the Championship in 2022 as well as winning an EFL Trophy in 2021.

Wright first came to Sunderland on loan from Bristol City in January 2020, although he only made five appearances before being ruled out with a knee injury. In those five appearances, we kept a very impressive four clean sheets. He was such an influential character both on and off the pitch that he signed a two year deal with us in August 2020. His first goal for the Black Cats was in a 2-2 draw against Rochdale in October that year.

He was a key figure at the back for Sunderland, even chipping in with four goals in his three-year spell on Wearside. After our monumental promotion to the Championship, Wright's excellent performances were rewarded with a new two-year contract. He didn't feature as much as he'd have liked and, in January 2023, was allowed to join Rotherham United on loan in the search for more game time.

In the summer of 2023 he left Sunderland by mutual consent, to allow him to "pursue overseas opportunities". A few days later he went to Singapore, signing for Lion City Sailors. Since then, he's won a league title, three Singapore Cups and a Singapore Community Shield and, just for good measure, he was named in the Singapore Premier League Team of the Year in 2025. Wright is such an experienced and mature footballer, he'd be a great coach one day and is always welcome back at SAFC.

Internationally, he has earned 29 caps for Australia, scoring twice for his country, representing the Socceroos at the 2022 World Cup.