Following Sunderland’s triumphant 2-0 victory over Wycombe Wanderers in the 2021/22 League One play-off final at Wembley Stadium, the Black Cats were on their way back to the Championship. However, one key player, Nathan Broadhead, would not be joining them on their journey upward.
At 24 years old, Broadhead had signed with Sunderland on a season-long loan from Everton in the summer of 2021. The Welshman had become a beloved figure among fans for his crucial goal-scoring contributions which helped secure the team’s spot in the play-offs, despite a significant injury setback earlier in the season.
After some unexpected twists and turns, Broadhead surprisingly chose to join Wigan Athletic on loan instead of returning to Sunderland. Initially, the decision seemed to make sense as Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms formed a successful partnership upfront. However, Broadhead had a plan of his own.
Struggling to find his place in the team at Wigan, Broadhead eventually found his stride midway through the season. His impact was undeniable as he scored key goals, securing important wins for the team. Unfortunately, his progress was momentarily halted by a serious hamstring injury suffered during a match against Arsenal in the EFL Cup.
Upon his return to the pitch, Broadhead was instrumental in Sunderland’s final push for promotion, scoring crucial goals and playing a crucial role in their play-off campaign. Despite limited playing time in the play-off games due to his injury, Broadhead’s contribution was undeniable in helping Sunderland secure their Championship return.
In a surprising turn of events, Broadhead joined Ipswich in the following season, where he continued to shine in League One. His impressive performances helped Ipswich secure automatic promotion to the Championship, leaving Sunderland to rue their decision not to bring him back.
As Ipswich faced Sunderland in their first game of the season, Broadhead delivered a standout performance, scoring a goal and providing an assist in a 2-1 victory. The match showcased Broadhead’s talent and cemented his impact on his new team’s success, while highlighting what Sunderland had missed out on by not securing his permanent return.
