On this day in 1996 former Sunderland and Newcastle goalkeeper Lionel Perez made his debut for the Lads. The flamboyant Frenchman made 84 appearances in his three years on Wearside, before moving to the Mags...
Perez started his career at Nimes after joining the club from school. He made 111 appearances over five years and won promotion with the club in 1991, and a notable teammate of Perez’s that year was the future star Eric Cantona.
Perez would then make a move to Bordeaux, where he would spend most of his time warming the bench, only making 16 appearances in his three years at the club.
In 1996 Sunderland signed Perez as cover for then first-team goalkeeper Tony Coton. It wasn't long after that Perez would grace Wearside with his stocky figure, flow