Born on this day in 1989 is Korean midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng, who was on loan at SAFC when we went to Wembley and produced the Great Escape in 2014.
As a youngster, Ki was a regular in the FC Seoul midfield, playing in the K-League. After signing for Celtic, he would impress and was voted SPL Young Player of the Month in October 2010
Sadly, Ki was the subject of inexcusable racial abuse towards the back end of the month, and at a league away game to St Johnstone, suffered harrowing chants and unforgiveable comments – something no one should never have to go through.
Throughout Ki’s time at Celtic, he performed well, gaining more and more MOTM awards over several seasons. He regularly chipped in with goals and assists from midfield.
In the summer transfer window of 2012, the same window Sunderland splashed the cash on the likes of Steven Fletcher and Danny Graham, Ki signed for Swansea City for a fee around £6m – which was a club record signing at the time.
Ki showed promise during his debut season, but failed to reproduce the form he executed so effortlessly at Celtic, and his once-admired passing style began to be criticised for being pedestrian and sideways.
Despite helping the Welsh team to secure a League Cup trophy, a loan was seen to be his best option – and Sunderland took advantage of that. On the 31st of August 2013, around a year after signing for Swansea, Ki headed to Wearside on a season-long loan.
He scored his first goal in a memorable League Cup victory over Chelsea, beating Mark Schwarzer with a low shot following a cut-in past Ashley Cole. This was in the 119th minute of the tiresome game! What a win that was, sending us to the semis against Man United.
Possibly his most famous memory at Sunderland was his help to send us marching down Wembley Way in the Capital One Cup. This was his 2nd consecutive League Cup final. Of course, despite leading 1-0 at half time the Lads were overcome by City’s quality (and a Yaya Toure shot/cross) and the game ended 3-1. A memorable day, despite the disappointing scoreline.
Sunderland spent most of that season dropping in and out of the relegation zone, but the midfielder played a fundamental role in their recovery – and even played while suffering from injury. A commendable feat for a loan player who had clearly bought into Gus Poyet's philosophy. Sunderland were triumphant in avoiding relegation, and miraculously finished 14th against all odds.
Ki returned to Swansea and played well during the 2014/15 season, becoming a regular fixture in midfield and playing almost every game.
During the 2015/16 season, Ki scored twice for a Swansea team, seen to be later battling for relegation during the 2016/17 season – and, just like Sunderland, avoided it by the skin of their teeth. When Swansea were relegated a few seasons later, the Korean turned to the dark side and joined the Mags, managed by Rafa Benitez at the time.
But Ki’s career did not pan out under new boss Steve Bruce and in all honestly, his career had kind of petered out. A solitary appearance for Mallorca before the season was ended for COVID, and he's now back with FC Seoul where he is now captaining the side again.
I'm sure he will consider his loan spell at Sunderland one of his career highlights, although it's great to see Ki enjoying his football again in his home country.
