Anderson arrived at Turf Moor in time to make his debut in our fourth league game of the season, a 0-0 home draw against Plymouth Argyle. Predominantly a central defender, he was played at right back by the Clarets but in a season long loan played just five times, four in the league and one in the Carling Cup.
The Carling Cup game was the home third round tie against Fulham when he suffered a cruciate ligament injury in just the 12th minute of the game, an injury which ended his season although he remained with the squad right through to the play off final at Wembley.
Having regained his fitness he couldn't get a place in the Sunderland squad and in January 2010 he signed a contract with Derby until the end of the season, a deal that was then extended by a further two years until the end of the 2011/12 season.
Unfortunately injuries have played a part again and today he's agreed to leave Derby some six months before the end of his contract by mutual consent having played just 33 times for them with 15 of those appearances from the substitutes bench.
Announcing the news, manager Nigel Clough said: "Russell is a fantastic professional who moves on with our very best wishes. He has been unlucky with a few injuries and the form of other players during his time with us, but throughout the last two years his attitude has been first class and he has been nothing but a positive influence in the dressing room."
His last appearance was at the start of November when he sustained a hamstring injury in Derby's game against Cardiff City.