The 38-year-old made headlines on Friday, however, when Spanish fourth-tier outfit Racing Murcia claimed that he has signed a deal to come out of retirement for them.
Lescott’s last match for the Wearsiders came against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, in a game that has lived long in the memory for all the wrong reasons.
Sunderland lost 5-1 that day, with David Moyes quitting in the immediate aftermath of the game.
The Black Cats also agreed to a bizarre moment in which they willingly put the ball out of play in the 26th minute so that retiring Chelsea skipper John Terry could be given a standing ovation from the home support.
We’ve taken a look back on Moyes’ squad from that shambolic display to see where they are now, and what they’ve been up to since.
Click and scroll through the pages below.
1. Jordan Pickford
The homegrown stopper has done well for himself since leaving the Stadium of Light. Pickford's form has taken a dip in recent times, but he is still number one for both Everton and England, and is a class act on his day. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Photo: Shaun Botterill
2. Billy Jones
The full-back made the drop down to the Championship with the Black Cats, but left the club when they were relegated to League One. Jones currently plies his trade for Rotherham United. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Photo: Shaun Botterill
3. Javier Manquillo
The Spaniard stayed in the north east after his loan deal with Sunderland ended in 2017, leaving Atletico Madrid for Newcastle United in a deal worth around £4.5 million. The 26-year-old is still a first team regular at St. James' Park. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) Photo: Michael Regan
4. John O'Shea
The five-time Premier League winner left the Stadium of Light after seven years in 2018 to join Reading. O'Shea spent a season with the Championship outfit before calling time on his storied career last year. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images) Photo: Charlie Crowhurst