SUNDERLAND have confirmed that three more senior players have followed John O’Shea out of the Stadium of Light exit doors.
After confirmation that O’Shea has agreed to sign a 12-month contract at Reading when his existing Sunderland terms expire at the end of the month, the Black Cats have released who else is staying and going.
Marc Wilson, Kazenga LuaLua and Billy Jones are all going to become free agents when their contracts expire, freeing up further space on the wage bill for manager Jack Ross to play with.
Sunderland have also allowed youngsters Tom Beadling, Jean-Yves Poame, Josh Robson, James Talbot and Daniel Wright to go.
The biggest departure, though, is O’Shea after making 256 appearances for the club in his seven years.
Ross told the club’s website: “Whilst I didn’t work directly with John, everyone at the club speaks so highly of him, both as a player and a man. Coming from Manchester United, where he was schooled by Sir Alex, has clearly shaped him into the consummate professional, on and off the field. The positive influence he had on this football club will be long remembered.
“On behalf of everyone at Sunderland AFC, I wish John every success in whatever he chooses to do in the future and he will always remain a special part of the club”.
Players aged under 24 as at June 30, 2018 who have been retained or have a contract offer pending:
ASORO, Joel
BROTHERTON, Sam
CONNELLY, Lee
DIAMOND, Jack
EMBLETON, Elliot
GAMBLE, Owen
GOOCH, Lynden
HACKETT, Jake
HONEYMAN, George
HUME, Denver
LOVE, Donald
MAJA, Joshua
MBUNGA-KIMPIOKA, Benjamin
McNAIR, Patrick
MOLYNEUX, Luke
NELSON, Andrew
ROBSON, Ethan
SHIELDS, Connor
STOREY, Alexander
STRYJEK, Maksymilian
TAYLOR, Brandon
WOUD, Michael
YOUNG, Jacob
Players aged over 24 as at June 30, 2018 who have been retained:
BORINI, Fabio (joining AC Milan on July 1)
CATTERMOLE, Lee
DJILOBODJI, Papy
KHAZRI, Wahbi
KONE, Lamine
LENS, Jeremain (joining Besiktas on July 1)
MATTHEWS, Adam
McGEADY, Aiden
McMANAMAN, Callum
NDONG, Didier
OVIEDO, Bryan
RODWELL, Jack
RUITER, Robbin
STEELE, Jason
WATMORE, Duncan
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