Premier League giants Spurs sent Kazaiah Sterling on loan to Sunderland in January but he managed just eight cameo appearances in League One.
When Kazaiah Sterling arrived on loan at Sunderland in January, he will have been dreaming of lifting the League One title just five months later.
But the Tottenham Hotspur youngster’s short-lived spell on Wearside hardly went to plan. ‘Gutted’ really is the operative word.
Not only did Sterling struggle for opportunities under Jack Ross, making just eight League One appearances and all of those coming from the bench, he also came agonisingly close to glory on two separate occasions – only to see silverware and success slip through his grasp.
Two months after Sunderland lost on penalties to Portsmouth at the Checkatrade Trophy, more Wembley heartbreak was on its way. A 94th minute Patrick Bauer winner sent Charlton Athletic into raptures in a dramatic play-off final and consigned the Wearside giants to another season of League One football.
Sterling has now returned to North London with his loan spell expiring at the start of July and his emotional farewell on Instagram, posted 24 hours after captain Lee Cattermole announced his departure, is filled with regret and contemplation about what could have been.
With just one goal in 12 games, Sterling probably didn’t do enough at Sunderland to warrant a place in Tottenham’s first-team plans for next season too.
So don’t be surprised if he is farmed out on loan again very soon.
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