Anthony Stokes Bio Send To Friend  

Stokes had hit form while on loan at Falkirk, scoring 16 goals in 18 appearances, and Celtic and Charlton had been circling him for his signature. But then-boss Roy Keane's influence as an Ireland legend won the day, as Stokes himself admitted after completing his £2million transfer.

But he never made the grade with the Black Cats and after failing to win a squad number for 2009-10 he was sold to Hibernian.

Stokes had been earmarked as a star of the future by Arsenal after he bagged 12 goals in only 17 appearances for the Under 17s.

He had signed for Arsenal in the summer of 2003 from Shelbourne, after being spotted by Liam Brady, and the Gunners beat a number of Premiership clubs to his signature.

He appeared on the bench for the first time for Arsenal's Carling Cup tie with Sunderland in October 2005. And he replaced Arturo Lupoli in the 88th minute to make his bow.

He was loaned the following summer to SPL club Falkirk, and began to make his name in the Scottish league before Keane came calling.

Given the number 9 shirt after Jonathan Stead signed for Sheffield United Stokes made his Sunderland debut in January 2007 and scored his first goal, against Plymouth Argyle, one month later.

Keane criticised Stokes for his off pitch antics but an improved attitude to training and a return to the first team resulted in Stokes' first Premier League goal; a last-minute winner against Derby in December 2007.

However, he could not maintain a run in the first team and before the start of the 2008-09 season Stokes lost the number 9 shirt and was handed the squad number of 44 instead.

His future unsecure, and with Keane's departure imminent, Stokes agreed a three month loan deal to Sheffield United. He played 12 games for the Blades, seven from the bench, without scoring.

Stokes was then loaned to Crystal Palace in March 2009 before being sold to Hibernian in August.