Ghana midfielder Salis Abdul Samed was part of the Sunderland squad that staged a comeback win over Sheffield United in the English Championship playoffs final on Saturday afternoon.
Teenager Tom Watson scored a 96th-minute winner to send Sunderland up to the Premier League and deny Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium.
The 19-year-old, who is joining Brighton and Hove Albion next season, curled a low effort past Michael Cooper to secure the Black Cats' return to the top flight for the first time in eight years.
It was an incredible end to a match in which they had been second best for large parts to the Blades.
Tyrese Campbell had given them a deserved first-half lead, and Harrison Burrows would have had a second but for a VAR call for offside.
Somehow the Wearside club hung in there and equalised through Eliezer Mayenda's fine goal on 76 minutes.
Then with United down to 10 men temporarily having used all five substitutes after defender Anel Ahmedhodzic had to go off with a head injury, Watson took advantage of the extra space in the most dramatic way possible.
Salis Abdul Samed, who is on loan at the Stadium of Light outfit, warmed the bench and ended the season without tasting minutes in the Championship playoffs.
Abdul Samed's future at Sunderland remains uncertain
Since his arrival at Sutherland from French Ligue 1 club RC Lens on loan, the 25-year-old made only 11 appearances for the English club across all competitions. He had a torrid start at Sunderland with knee and muscle injury problems.
Following the lack of playing time and a series of injuries, he has missed his place in Ghana's national team under Otto Addo. However, the future of the former Clermont Foot enforcer remains uncertain at Sunderland after securing a promotion back to the Premier League after eight seasons in the Championship.
The Ghana international was shipped out by RC Lens for a season-long loan prior to the start of the 2024/25 season, having been demoted to the reserve side of the French club by new manager Will Still.
Salis Abdul Samed has a contract with RC Lens until the summer of 2028.
