Former Sunderland goalkeeper Marton Fulop has revealed that the Black Cats have given him tickets to this Sunday's Capital One Cup final at Wembley.
The 30-year-old, who also played for Sunderland's final opponents Manchester City, has been taking a break from football after having a tumour removed from his arm.
Sunderland chief executive Margaret Byrne decided to make the "unexpected" gesture to Fulop, who spent four years at the Stadium of Light before joining Ipswich Town.
"It's a really nice thing for the club to do," Fulop told the Shields Gazette. "I had been talking to friends about how I would love to go to the game, I've played for both Sunderland and Manchester City of course, and someone got in touch with the club and they got in touch with me.
"It was completely unexpected but I would like to thank Mags Byrne and the people at the club who organised it. It's fantastic and I'm really looking forward to the game."
The clash between the Black Cats and City will get underway at 2pm on Sunday.