Luke O'Nien

Last updated

Luke O'Nien
O'Nien, Luke.jpg
O'Nien in 2018
Personal information
Full name Luke Terry O'Nien [1]
Date of birth (1994-11-21) 21 November 1994 (age 30) [2]
Place of birth Hemel Hempstead, England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.74 m) [2]
Position(s) Defensive Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Sunderland
Number 13
Youth career
2003–2013 Watford
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2013–2015 Watford 1 (0)
2014 → Wealdstone (loan) 5 (0)
2014–2015 → Wealdstone (loan) 31 (4)
2015–2018 Wycombe Wanderers 101 (15)
2018– Sunderland 264 (21)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 17:03, 3 May 2025 (UTC)

Luke Terry O'Nien (born 21 November 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Premier League club Sunderland.

Contents

Career

Watford

O'Nien joined Watford as an Under-9. [3] Having signed his first professional contract at Vicarage Road in July 2013, [4] he was then called up by the first team to the pre-season friendly tour in Italy after he impressed staff during training. [5] O'Nien was then given the number 32 shirt. [6] He had been an unused substitute on a handful of occasions during the 2013–14 season. He made his Watford debut as an 88th-minute substitute in a 3–0 win at home to Barnsley on 15 March 2014. [7] After the match, O'Nien reacted to his debut against Barnsley, saying "It was fantastic to get out there, that’s what you work towards, and I’ll keep on practising". [8]

On 27 March 2014, O'Nien signed a one-month loan deal with Isthmian League Premier Division side Wealdstone. [9] He made his debut as a late substitute in a win over Billericay Town on 31 March 2014, while his first start came three days later on 3 April 2014 in a 3–0 success over East Thurrock United. [10] He ended the season gaining a Ryman Premier Division title medal as Wealdstone won the league. Following his loan spell, on 13 May 2014, O'Nien signed a new one-year deal with the Hornets. [11] He expressed delight over signing a new contract with the club. [12]

In August 2014, O'Nien returned to Wealdstone, now a Conference South side, on a season-long loan deal. [13]

Following Watford's promotion to the Premier League in 2015, O'Nien was one of three released by the club following the expiration of his contract. [14]

Wycombe Wanderers

On 25 July 2015, O'Nien signed for League Two side Wycombe Wanderers on a one-year deal, having had a successful trial with the club. [15] He scored the first professional goal of his career on 3 October 2015, as Wycombe took the lead after just 70 seconds, in a 3–2 defeat at home to Northampton. Following the match, O'Nien thanked his former manager at Wealdstone, Gordon Bartlett, and said "I would recommend a move to that level for any youngster trying to make it in the Football League. It is a good platform to learn and to build from." [16] In 2017, he earned the accolade of Community Player of the Season. In the 2017–18 season, the club won promotion to League One, after defeating Chesterfield 2–1 to secure the final automatic promotion place. [17]

Sunderland

O'Nien joined Sunderland on 30 July 2018. [18] He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win away to Shrewsbury Town on 20 October 2018. His second goal for the club came on 27 November 2018, and it was Sunderland's fourth, and final, goal of an entertaining 4–2 home victory against promotion rivals Barnsley. In March 2019, he had consistent performances in an unfamiliar right back role in which he won multiple man of the match awards. At the end of the 2018–19 season, O'Nien picked up the award of Young Player of The Year award. [19] In the 2019 League One play-offs, O'Nien was attacked by a Portsmouth fan at Fratton Park after he was accidentally pushed into the stands by a player on the opposing team. O'Nien appeared to get punched, kicked and hurled abuse at by nearby Portsmouth fans. However, O'Nien wasn't injured and did not press charges, saying it was "just a bit of handbags". [20] [21]

Following an impressive 2020–21 season, O'Nien was named in the 2020–21 EFL League One Team of the Season at the league's annual awards ceremony on 29 April 2021. [22]

On 6 July 2021, O'Nien signed a new three-year contract extension with Sunderland. [23]

Ahead of the 2024–25 season, O'Nien was named as Sunderland's club captain. [24] In the opening weekend of the new season, he scored against Cardiff City for his first goal of the campaign. [25] O'Nien found the net again the following week, along with bagging an assist, making it three goal contributions in two games. He scored an own goal while attempting to turn his head to dodge the ball while facing Portsmouth on Matchday 4. [26] This own goal ended Sunderland's 389-minute run without conceding a goal. [27]

On 24 May 2025, Sunderland ended their eight-year wait to return to the Premier League after beating Sheffield United 2–1 with an injury-time winner in the Championship play-off final. [28] O'Nien, who had to watch the rest of the match from the sidelines after dislocating his shoulder during the game, joked that he "covered more distance celebrating". After the match, he told Sky Sports that he had "never had anxiety like it", but that he was "so proud of these boys". [29]

On 14 August 2025, O'Nien signed a new two-year contract, with a club option of a further year. [30]

Personal life

O'Nien was born in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. He attended John F Kennedy Catholic School. [31] His father Terry was a professional golfer. [32]

Owing to his ancestries, O'Nien is eligible to play international football for either the England or Singapore national teams. [33] [34]

His great-uncle is Lim Kim San, a prominent local politician who played a role in the development of Singapore, particularly in the country's prominent public housing projects. [35]

O'Nien is married to wife Georgia and has two children, a boy and a girl. [36]

Career statistics

As of match played 24 May 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season, and competition
ClubSeasonLeague FA Cup League Cup OtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Watford 2013–14 [37] Championship 100000—10
Wealdstone (loan) 2013–14 [10] [38] Isthmian League Premier Division5000—0050
2014–15 [39] Conference South 31400—2 [a] 0334
Total36400—20384
Wycombe Wanderers 2015–16 [40] League Two 35540001 [b] 0405
2016–17 [41] League Two31340004 [b] 0393
2017–18 [42] League Two35721003 [b] 0408
Total10115101008011916
Sunderland 2018–19 [43] League One 375301011 [c] 0525
2019–20 [44] League One35420402 [b] 0434
2020–21 [45] League One38200106 [d] 0452
2021–22 [46] League One26310315 [e] 0354
2022–23 [47] Championship41221102 [f] 0463
2023–24 [48] Championship4321000—442
2024–25 [49] Championship44310003 [f] 0483
Total2642110110129031223
Career total4003920210139046943
  1. ↑ Appearances in FA Trophy
  2. 1 2 3 4 Appearances in EFL Trophy
  3. ↑ Eight appearances in EFL Trophy; three appearances in League One play-offs
  4. ↑ Four appearances in EFL Trophy; two appearances in League One play-offs
  5. ↑ Two appearances in EFL Trophy; three appearances in League One play-offs
  6. 1 2 Appearances in EFL Championship play-offs

Honours

Sunderland

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Professional Retain List & Free Transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. 3 June 2013. Archived from the original on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Luke O'Nien". 11v11. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  3. ↑ "Watford FC Player Profiles". watfordfc.com. 26 July 2013. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
  4. ↑ "ACADEMY: O'Nien Signs Pro". Watford F.C. 7 June 2013. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  5. ↑ "O'NIEN: "A Great Education"". Watford F.C. 12 July 2013. Archived from the original on 9 June 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "OFFICIAL: 2013/14 Squad Numbers". Watford F.C. 25 July 2013. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  7. ↑ "Watford 3–0 Barnsley". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
  8. ↑ "O'NIEN: "Another Step In The Journey"". Watford F.C. 15 March 2014. Archived from the original on 9 June 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  9. ↑ "OFFICIAL: O'Nien Loaned To Wealdstone". watfordfc.com. 27 March 2014. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  10. 1 2 "Wealdstone v Canvey Island official programme" (PDF). WFC History. 26 April 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  11. ↑ "OFFICIAL: O'Nien's New Deal". Watford FC. 13 May 2014. Archived from the original on 14 May 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  12. ↑ "O'NIEN: "Can't Wait To Go Again"". Watford F.C. 14 May 2014. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  13. ↑ "LOAN: Luke O'Nien To Stones". Watford F.C. 22 August 2014. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  14. ↑ "Watford will release Marco Motta, Luke O'Nien and Vujadin Savic while the club are in discussions with Heurelho Gomes, Hornets legend Lloyd Doyley and Rene Gilmartin". Watford Observer. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  15. ↑ "Luke O'Nien signs after successful trial". Wycombe Wanderers. 25 July 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  16. ↑ "O'Nien thanks Stones for vital loan experience". Bucks Free Press. 10 October 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  17. ↑ "Chesterfield 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers". BBC Sport. 28 April 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  18. ↑ "O'Nien completes Sunderland move". Sunderland Association Football Club. 30 July 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  19. ↑ AFC, Sunderland (23 April 2019). "Rocking all over... @LukeONien has been awarded the @BlcSafc's Young Player of the Year award! #SAFCpic.twitter.com/RnQpoNr0g8". @SunderlandAFC. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  20. ↑ "Hampshire Police launch assault investigation after Portsmouth fan appears to kick Sunderland's Luke O'Nien". 17 May 2019.
  21. ↑ "Luke O'Nien: Sunderland player 'punched in back' by Portsmouth fan". BBC Sport. 16 May 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  22. 1 2 "Football Manager EFL Team of the Season line-ups announced". EFL.com. 24 April 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  23. ↑ "Sunderland's Luke O'Nien signs new contract keeping him on Wearside until 2024". Chronicle Live. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  24. ↑ "2024-25 Sunderland captains confirmed". www.safc.com. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  25. ↑ "Cardiff City 0-2 Sunderland: Jack Clarke on target as new Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris starts with a win". Sky Sports. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  26. ↑ "Portsmouth 1-3 Sunderland: Eliezer Mayenda and Romaine Mundle score as Black Cats stay perfect". Sky Sports. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  27. ↑ "Romaine Mundle on target as Sunderland win at Portsmouth". NewsChain. 31 August 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  28. ↑ "Sheffield United 1-2 Sunderland: Black Cats stun Blades in Championship play-off final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  29. ↑ Sunderland end eight-year wait to return to Premier League with dramatic Championship play-off win – Sky News
  30. ↑ "Luke O'Nien signs new contract!". www.safc.com. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  31. ↑ "JFK school website" (PDF).
  32. ↑ "Former Watford man is determined to keepy-uppy his standards". Bucks Free Press. 9 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  33. ↑ "Luke O'Nien on Twitter". Twitter. 26 November 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  34. ↑ Daud, Sulaiman. "Lim Kim San's grandnephew can be seen playing football for English club in Netflix documentary series". mothership.sg. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  35. ↑ "Wycombe's O'Nien keen to play for Singapore". The New Paper . 9 January 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  36. ↑ "Interview: Luke O'Nien's weekend of emotion". www.safc.com. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  37. ↑ "Games played by Luke O'Nien in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  38. ↑ "Wealdstone 2-0 Canvey Island". WFC History. 27 April 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  39. ↑ Luke O'Nien at Soccerway . Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  40. ↑ "Games played by Luke O'Nien in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  41. ↑ "Games played by Luke O'Nien in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  42. ↑ "Games played by Luke O'Nien in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  43. ↑ "Games played by Luke O'Nien in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  44. ↑ "Games played by Luke O'Nien in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  45. ↑ "Games played by Luke O'Nien in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  46. ↑ "Games played by Luke O'Nien in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  47. ↑ "Games played by Luke O'Nien in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  48. ↑ "Games played by Luke O'Nien in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  49. ↑ "Games played by Luke O'Nien in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  50. ↑ "Sheffield United 1–2 Sunderland: Line-ups". BBC Sport. 24 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  51. ↑ Paddy, Chris (21 May 2022). "Sunderland 2–0 Wycombe". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  52. ↑ Pilnick, Brent (14 March 2021). "Sunderland 1–0 Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  53. ↑ Williams, Adam (31 March 2019). "Portsmouth 2–2 Sunderland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
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