Sunderland promotion bonuses revealed as Jobe Bellingham and co share out huge £7.75m for reaching Premier League

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A STUNNING £7.75million was split by Sunderland’s promotion winners for reaching the Prem.

Skipper Dan Neil and cult hero Luke O’Nien finished top of the table for appearances and will pick up more than £500,000 each.

Sunderland’s playoff heroes have bagged a huge promotion bonus[/caption]

Luke O’Nien is among those to bag £500k for taking the Black Cats back to the Prem[/caption]

The system is based on the number of games played in the campaign under Wearsiders’ boss Regis Le Bris, who had his own personal jackpot.

Each player received shares in the windfall.

Starters were given four per game, subs received two and non-playing men on the bench got one.

Neil and O’Nien, injured in the 2-1 Wembley play-off final win over Sheffield United, made 48 and 49 first-team starts respectively to qualify for the highest return.

Most of the squad played a large chunk of games, so will earn between £400,000 and £500,000.

That is a large boost to pay packets, with young Chris Rigg, 17, in line for around £400k – which is roughly the same as his basic salary.

Even after tax, that should mean a terrific bonus for the players who took the Black Cats to glory.

The total available in the initial bonus system for the playing staff was £8m if they finished top.

But the consolation of winning the play-offs was just £250,000 less.

That is a huge result for the players, who saw the club bring in extra income with the three play-off games.

The £7.75m is higher than many other sides offered in recent years and also dwarfs the figure paid out by League One play-off winners Charlton.

Addicks only handed out £750,000 in bonuses among the players on a similar pro rata basis.

The Italian giants are keen on the hard-running midfielder who is aware of their interest and a £15million deal could be thrashed out.

Neil’s move would rock Sunderland, though, who are preparing to lose teenager Bellingham.

The 19-year-old is already talking to clubs in Germany.