10 Shocking Sunderland Departures That Nobody Expected

3. Marco Gabbiadini

Marco Gabbiadini broke hearts when he left. The goal-hungry half-Italian was credited as a crucial part of Sunderland's promotion from the old Third Division, so much so that manager Denis Smith promised to sack himself if he ever sold the striker. Gabbiadini's legend continued to grow after a fantastic performance at St James' Park helped send Sunderland to Wembley and a playoff final, which would ultimately see them promoted to the top tier for the first time in five years. Then, shockingly, he was sold to Crystal Palace, a side more firmly entrenched in the First Division than recently-promoted Sunderland. He was supposedly a replacement for the high-flying Ian Wright, but failed to live up to this billing and was quickly sold again, this time to Derby. There he thrived once more, and even celebrated after notching a goal against the Black Cats - a memory which is often conveniently forgotten on Wearside.