Ex-Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone celebrated his 32nd birthday this Monday. The goalkeeper joined the Black Cats during the summer of 2013 from Arsenal.
He joined for £2.16 million before being sold by Sunderland to Reading for £2.07 million in 2017. Over the course of his stay, his value didn’t take a major drop, showing his consistency during his time with the Black Cats.
Mannone played 80 games for Sunderland, keeping clean sheets in 22 of those matches.
After Sunderland tweeted out to the player to wish him a happy birthday, he replied, acknowledging their tweet.
Fans responded by praising the player and calling for him to return to the side.
Happy birthday Vito ????? #OhVitoMannone
— Julie (@juliesund) March 2, 2020
Happy birthday Vito, #SAFC still loves you
— Simon (@KingstonSi) March 2, 2020
Come home Vito
— WolfNard20 (@wolfnard17) March 2, 2020
Come back vito!!
— Owen (@supercardowen) March 2, 2020
Come back lad
— lee wilkie (@leewilkie19) March 2, 2020
Once a Mackem always a Mackem have a great day you legend
— Aidan_112 (@AidanMuers) March 2, 2020
Who would you like to see as Sunderland's goalkeeper next season?
Jon McLaughlin
Vito Mannone
What do we think?
Mannone is currently loaned out to Esbjerg fB, from Reading, until the end of the season. With the Championship side having loaned the Italian out to MLS side Minnesota United last season, it appears as though he isn’t in their short term plans.
If Sunderland do achieve promotion at the end of this season, there is every possibility they could encourage the player to make a return for next season.