After a bitterly disappointing 2016/17 campaign which ultimately culminated in relegation from the Premier League, Sunderland were looking to bounce back under new manager Simon Grayson.

The Black Cats were looking to gain promotion back to the top-flight at the first time of asking, and identified Grayson as the man to do just that, luring him away from a very secure job at Preston North End.

With the club being installed as the early favourites to win the league title, the pressure was on Grayson to make some signings that would ignite a promotion push, and here, we take a look at the reaction when Sunderland completed the signing of Aiden McGeady...

McGeady was a familiar face to Grayson having been a standout performer for Preston North End the year before, and it was immediately seen as a massive coup by the Black Cats.

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The winger had scored eight goals and produced numerous assists for the Lancashire club, before signing for Sunderland for what was believed to be a fee of £250,000.

Initially, this was seen as an absolute bargain price for the talented playmaker, and certainly raised eyebrows amongst fans in the Championship.

It may have turned out to be yet another dismal season for Sunderland, as the club were relegated to League One that season, but McGeady was certainly one of their standout performers, and he is proving to be a hugely influential player in their League One campaign this term.

You can just tell that he used to play in the Champions League, with his skill and trickery causing plenty of problems for opposition defences this season - the Irish international has scored 11 goals and produced five assists for Jack Ross' men this term.

It has been a turbulent few years for Sunderland, but the club look to be back on track, and McGeady has played an integral role in their recent revival...