On this day 2002 – Sunderland sign Flo and Stewart over Ibrahimovic

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On 30 August 2002, Sunderland announced the double signing of Tore Andre Flo and Marcus Stewart, having chased Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

As Peter Reid looked to add more fire power to his Sunderland side, he turned to Tore Andre Flo and Marcus Stewart, who arrived from Rangers and Ipswich respectively in 2002.

One player they did not sign was a 20-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Playing for Ajax at the time, the Swede had been the subject of interest from Reid, who offered £7 million for his services.

The deal did not happen, with Ibrahimovic wanting Champions League football, and Sunderland turned to experience from Flo and Stewart.

The Black Cats competed the double deal a day before the transfer window closed, spending a club record £8 million on Norwegian striker Flo, and £2 million on Stewart.

At 29-year-old, Flo had scored goals at every club he had been at, and seemed to be a sound and more safe investment from Sunderland. However, the number nine only managed four goals in his only season on Wearside, heading to Italy a year later.

Also 29 at the time, Stewart had a much better career at Sunderland, spending three years at the Stadium of Light and scoring 31 goals, with 17 of them coming in his final season before moving to Bristol City in 2005.

Manager Peter Reid may have thought he was being sensible bringing in two experienced strikers, but he will no doubt still be wondering what might have been, with Ibrahimovic going on to be a success at every club, scoring goals all over Europe, doing so now with Manchester United at the age of 34.

Sunderland fans do not look back at Flo’s time in red and white with fond memories, and they will sting even more knowing they could have had the great Zlatan.

Where would both Sunderland and Ibrahimovic be right now, had the enigmatic striker moved to the North East in 2002? Would Sunderland have gone on to become a force in English football, and would Ibrahimovic ever have gone on to win so many league titles?

We will never know, but at least can reminisce about their Championship winning campaign in 2005, when Marcus Stewart’s goals propelled them back to the top flight.