Leadbitter has joined Middlesbrough's academy as an Individual Development coach.
The role will see Leadbitter work with players right across the age groups at the club where he made 230 appearances and where he is still revered for his role in the club's promotion to the Premier League in 2016.
Leadbitter completed his UEFA A licence last year as he worked closely with Middlesbrough, and has now made that move permanent.
Middlesbrough's academy manager Craig Liddle said: "It’s great to have someone with Grant’s experience on board. He’s worked hard on his coaching qualifications over the past year and he brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding.
“He’s an example for the young players in our Academy because of what he achieved in his career and he knows what it takes to be a good professional.”
Leadbitter made over 200 appearances across two spells as a player at Sunderland, his boyhood club.
But what about the other players that left Sunderland during the summer of 2021? We take a look at where they are now.
![Max Power re-joined Wigan Athletic where he gained promotion to the Championship as League One champions.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjY0MGQ0NDBkLWEzYjQtNDU0Ny1iYTllLTI3NWRhODBiYjRjZTplOWY4OWVjNS1mMTMwLTQyMWEtODQ2ZC0wZWJjNWQ2YmJhN2I=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Max Power
Max Power re-joined Wigan Athletic where he gained promotion to the Championship as League One champions. Photo: Alex Burstow
![Like Max Power, Charlie Wyke made the move to Wigan Athletic and was promoted to the Championship. The striker is eyeing a return to action after a shock heart attack last season.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjAwMDU3ZDY4LWRlNjYtNDhjNi1iMDY0LWFiYTdjZTg5Y2ZlNjo2OGYwNjMxZS1lNjU2LTRiZDMtODQzOC1hNWJjODBjNDZmOTk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Charlie Wyke
Like Max Power, Charlie Wyke made the move to Wigan Athletic and was promoted to the Championship. The striker is eyeing a return to action after a shock heart attack last season. Photo: Charlotte Tattersall
![The defender, who has been linked with a return to Sunderland, is back at parent club Wolves following loan stints at Birmingham City and QPR last season.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmQyOGVmZDAyLTMyMzctNGQyZC04MTdiLTRlODg2ODc1MTkwZjpiZmQ4ZGFhYy04N2QwLTRlOWMtYmY5ZC03YTc4NWU4MzNmODY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Dion Sanderson
The defender, who has been linked with a return to Sunderland, is back at parent club Wolves following loan stints at Birmingham City and QPR last season. Photo: Cameron Smith
![The midfielder is now wit Wycombe Wanderers and was part of the team that lost against Sunderland in the League One play-off final at Wembley.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjZkMzJmYzVlLTJiMTEtNGIyNC05YTQ0LWNiZDM5ODc3MTgzOTo5YWU3OGE1Yy1iNTZmLTQ2YzQtOGQzNi1kYmE2ODBjN2E5OTI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Josh Scowen
The midfielder is now wit Wycombe Wanderers and was part of the team that lost against Sunderland in the League One play-off final at Wembley. Photo: Eddie Keogh