Luke O'Nien dropped to his knees at the full-time whistle at Wembley as emotion bubbled over. The Black Cats 'Mr. Versatile' has been through it all with Sunderland in recent years.
He could have left the club last year with his contract expiring in the midst of another play-off failure. But, he stuck around and has played a huge part in winning promotion back to the Championship.
O'Nien has suffered his fair share of injury problems during his stint on Wearside, but has always come back stronger. A shoulder injury has plagued his two recent campaigns but unlike previous play-off endeavours this one ended differently.
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The midfielder played the full 90 minutes and was an emotional figure at full-time as the Black Cats dispatched Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley. He's since tweeted a perfect summary of what it means to finally win promotion back to the Championship.
The 27-year-old said: "This picture couldn't sum up what promotion meant with this great club! Losing two times at Wembley. Surgery. Three years falling short of promotion.
"Three years of weight was lifted in that moment when the full-time whistle went. Incredible feeling that will last forever in my memory."
