Russell Anderson Bio Send To Friend  

Joining Sunderland was a real tug of love for Scottish international Anderson, who had previously pledged to stay at hometown club Aberdeen for the rest of his career.

Anderson made his debut for the Dons in 1997 and went on to make over 300 appearances for the Pittodrie club and was club captain on leaving the club.

He was capped for Scotland for the first time in October 2002 against Iceland yet he had not become a regular for his country by the time he headed south.

After celebrating his testimonial at Aberdeen during 2006, he was nominated by the Scottish PFA as one of their players of the year for 2006/7.

Roy Keane had obviously been impressed during his short time in Scottish football and persuaded Anderson to move to Sunderland in a £1m deal. £90,000 of the deal went to Aberdeen's youth academy - a fine gesture by the proud Aberdonian.

Two-games into his Sunderland career the defender suffered a long-term ankle injury that ruled him out for five months. When he returned to action he was sent on loan to Championship side Plymouth, making 14 appearances, before returning to the Stadium of Light for the end of the 2007/08 season.

He was loaned to Burnley in August 2008 but suffered another serious injury after only five appearances and returned to the Stadium of Light.