I played for Sunderland - but this is why Newcastle United are a bigger club

Yedlin is one of the few players to have crossed the Tyne-Wear divide having spent the 2015-16 season on loan on Wearside before moving to St James’ Park in a permanent deal from Tottenham Hotspur.

The right-back helped the Black Cats retain their Premier League status at the expense of Newcastle but ended up joining Rafa Benitez’s side - and the tables soon turned. United gained promotion back to the top-flight at the first attempt while Sunderland were relegated and haven’t been back since.

The 31-year-old made 125 appearances across five years on Tyneside before joining Galatasaray in 2021. He has since returned to his native United States, now turning out for FC Cincinnati, who he joined this year from Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.

Reflecting on his time in the North East, Yedlin told FourFourTwo: “In hindsight, it [Sunderland] was probably one of the most important chapters of my life. But when I moved to Newcastle, it was a big moment for me because all my friends at home knew Newcastle.

“To play for such a historic club, in that stadium, under Rafa Benitez, a legendary coach, was a significant moment.

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“We had a great team and were on the ball a lot, which allowed me to play how I was used to playing. I loved Rafa. His game is organized and disciplined, focused more on the defensive side.

“He really challenged me on positioning defensively, which was probably my weakest point. I was always quite fast, so I could make up for positional mistakes, but at that level, you get exposed in that area.”

And having returned to the US, Yedlin says he is recognised for representing Newcastle - and not Sunderland, an admission that will certainly go down well with the Geordie public.

Yedlin added: “Newcastle is the big one on my resume. When I meet people here in the States, they don't say, Sunderland, they say ‘the Newcastle player.

"I still follow Newcastle. I obviously want the best for the club. The club did so much for me, so I think it's important to follow them and support them. I'm extremely happy that the club has found success, and for me, that's what the fans deserve.”