after impressing in a three-day trial with sunderland in november 2004, welsh signed with the club for £15,000, and could have included a compensation for amount of time on the field stipulation to £35,000. upon signing for sunderland he was assigned the vacant number 11 shirt, and made his club debut on 1 january 2005 in a 3–2 defeat to preston north end, replacing marcus stewart in the 68th minute. he score two goals in eight appearances during the 2004–05 season for sunderland.