The 16th of July appears to be one of the better days for Sunderland transfers in recent years – so hopefully we can get someone in today to continue this trend!
On this day in 2007, Kieran Richardson joined the Lads for an undisclosed fee. Whatever it was we paid. It was worth it. If we had paid £10 million, in that moment in 2008 when his free kick nearly took the net off Shay Given’s goal, securing the our first home derby win in 28 years. In 149 appearances, Richardson only managed 15 goals for the club. However, he was a very versatile player and was deployed all over the pitch. Richardson was a great signing and admits that it was the best time of his footballing career. He took to life in Sunderland really well and loved every minute playing for the club. Richardson stated that “The best time of my career was there. I loved it - the changing room, the vibes, the fans, everything about that club. It was definitely my best time as a footballer at Sunderland.”
Years later in 2013, Emanuele Giaccherini, our tiny number 23, swapped the black and white of Italian giants Juventus for the much more aesthetically pleasing red and white stripes of Sunderland. Though it didn’t really work out for Emanuele Giaccherini and we struggled to fit the Italian into our side, he is still a really memorable signing. It was, after all, a really memorable transfer window, even though some of the players we signed were forgettable.
There were wholesale changes under the Italian regime and Giaccherini followed El Hadji Ba, Jozy Altidore, David Moberg-Karlsson, Cabral, Modibo Diakite, Valentin Roberge and countryman Vito Mannone in that manic window. Unlike the more mysterious, unknown signings like El Hadji Ban and Moberg-Karlsson, Giaccherini had pedigree.
Twice a Serie A winner, the creative Italian had also made 14 appearances for the national team and had recently played in Italy’s successful Euro 2012 campaign. He made his debut on 17 August, in a 1–0 defeat at home to Fulham .In his second match of the campaign his first goal for the club came from an unlikely headed effort. He scored again in a 2–0 League Cup win against Peterborough and his second league goal, came in the following game at home to Liverpool.
After a bright start, the Italian didn’t score again until he hit an effort from outside the box against Arsenal in February. Injuries hampered him, but in 43 appearances Giaccherini scored 5 goals. On occasion he was capable of brilliance, on other days he was ineffectual. He left on loan, joining Bologna and never returned, staying in Italy for the rest of his career.
Someone who was more consistently good was Younes Kaboul, although he didn’t start so well. He eventually grew into an important defender for us and the partnership he formed with Lamine Kone (who often takes the plaudits that season despite Kaboul being the superior defender) towards the end of his Sunderland career was immense. He emerged as a crucial player for us and was emotional on the final day of the season. He loved the club, but knew he was leaving in the summer. Kaboul’s assist for Steven Fletcher’s goal against the Mags is the most extraordinary pass made by a centre half in the history of the Premier League. A pinpoint clip to the back stick. Just beautiful.
So, the 16th of July has brought us some interesting players in recent years. Just last year, Callum Doyle was drafted in for a year’s loan on the same day. Initially it looked like we were unearthing a player who could have made it onto this list, before he was totally ran into the ground. I guess he has in a way, because I’ve just mentioned him. Anyway, let’s get someone like Richardson or Kaboul signed today!
