As Sunderland AFC prepares for the summer transfer window, the club is poised for a significant shake-up with several senior players set to leave. This comes after a challenging season in the Championship, which saw them miss out on the play-off spots.
Key Departures
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Corry Evans: The club captain, who has battled injury issues, is one of the notable players expected to leave. At 33, his future lies elsewhere as Sunderland looks to inject more youth into the squad (The72 – Football League News) (SPORTbible).
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Bradley Dack: Having joined from Blackburn Rovers last summer, Dack’s stint has been marred by injuries, limiting him to just 16 appearances. His departure is part of a broader strategy to refresh the team (SPORTbible).
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Paddy McNair: McNair is another senior figure likely to exit due to contract expiration. His versatility has been an asset, but Sunderland’s focus on restructuring means he is expected to move on (Sport Viwers).
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Alex Pritchard: The experienced midfielder’s contract is also up, and despite his contributions, the club has decided not to renew his deal, making him a free agent this summer (The72 – Football League News).
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Mason Burstow and Callum Styles: Both players, on loan from Chelsea and Barnsley respectively, will return to their parent clubs. Burstow, in particular, struggled to make a significant impact during his loan spell (Sport Viwers) (SPORTbible).
Additional Releases
In addition to the senior squad changes, Sunderland has announced the release of several academy players. This includes prospects like Ellis Taylor and Jack Diamond, who have not managed to break into the first team consistently (SPORTbible).
Strategic Rebuild
Sunderland’s management, led by sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, is focusing on long-term deals for younger players while planning for new signings to strengthen the squad. The goal is to build a team capable of challenging for promotion in the upcoming season.
As the transfer window opens, Sunderland fans can expect a busy summer with significant movements both in and out of the club. For more details on Sunderland’s transfer activities, visit The72 – Football League News and SportBible.