The majority of players on this list didn’t have successful times in the north east and won’t look back at their time at St James’s Park or the Stadium of Light too fondly. However, in and amongst this list, there are a couple of success stories of players that impressed whilst in the north east.
For whatever reason, all 11 of these now find themselves as a free agent and looking for a new club to take them on – but what are your memories of these players? Should any of them have had a better career whilst in England?
Follow us on our social media channels and let us know some of your memories of their time at either Newcastle or Sunderland.
Here is a list of 11 players that featured for Newcastle United and Sunderland that currently find themselves as free agents:
A message from the Football Clubs Editor
Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Newcastle United coverage 365 days a year.
This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription; sign up here.
Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor
Follow us on our social media channels and let us know some of your memories of their time at either Newcastle or Sunderland.
![Saivet joined Newcastle in January 2016. He played just eight times before being released in summer 2021 and has yet to find a new club. His goal direct from a free-kick against West Ham United was the highlight of a forgettable five years on Tyneside.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjViYTQ0MmM1LTdiM2YtNDY1Ni1iYjcxLTk1ZGY5YWQwNGExZDphNWQzM2Y2ZS0xOTlhLTQ5ZDgtOWUyNi0xN2JjYzM5OWFjNzY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Henri Saivet
Saivet joined Newcastle in January 2016. He played just eight times before being released in summer 2021 and has yet to find a new club. His goal direct from a free-kick against West Ham United was the highlight of a forgettable five years on Tyneside. Photo: Steve Bardens
![A good season at AS Monaco alongside Radamel Falcao convinced Newcastle to spend £6million on the striker. However, in two years at the club, Riviere netted just one league goal, which he managed to kick in off his own shin, before he was moved on-loan to Osasuna in Spain. Spells in France and Italy followed before he was released by FC Crotone in August 2021.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjc3OGNlZThkLTYzZGEtNGZlNy05ODUyLTEwYjRiODhhM2Y2YzpiNWFmNzAxNC1iYWYyLTQwZTUtOGE4NS0zMmZiNDlmZDdjNTU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Emmanuel Riviere
A good season at AS Monaco alongside Radamel Falcao convinced Newcastle to spend £6million on the striker. However, in two years at the club, Riviere netted just one league goal, which he managed to kick in off his own shin, before he was moved on-loan to Osasuna in Spain. Spells in France and Italy followed before he was released by FC Crotone in August 2021. Photo: Shaun Botterill
![Famed for being a favourite of Steve Bruce, the Egyptian played under him at Hull City, Sunderland and Aston Villa before the Villains released him last summer. The full-back played 61 times for the Black Cats with his only goal for the club coming in a 2-2 draw with West Brom in October 2011.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjc4NzM2NTE0LWE3ZGMtNDAwMC1hYjZiLTFjY2NiMDA5YzZjNzpiMzVhMDlmOS1jMGE0LTQzZDAtYTQxOC03ZjU2ZWI1NGE0Y2Q=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Ahmed Elmohamady
Famed for being a favourite of Steve Bruce, the Egyptian played under him at Hull City, Sunderland and Aston Villa before the Villains released him last summer. The full-back played 61 times for the Black Cats with his only goal for the club coming in a 2-2 draw with West Brom in October 2011. Photo: AFP
![Diame’s Newcastle career started slowly but he became a force to be reckoned with by the end of his time on Tyneside as he became a crucial member of Rafa Bentiez’s engine room. Diame joined Qatar side Al-Ahli after leaving Newcastle in summer 2019 but was released by them just two years later in summer 2021.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjA3ZDQzMjQ5LTVlOWEtNDAxMy04MzJiLTUwZTY4YTAwMjU4NDplNTkxYjJlZC1iYWY2LTRkOGEtYmMzZS05MTg4NTFkOGI2YzU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Mo Diame
Diame’s Newcastle career started slowly but he became a force to be reckoned with by the end of his time on Tyneside as he became a crucial member of Rafa Bentiez’s engine room. Diame joined Qatar side Al-Ahli after leaving Newcastle in summer 2019 but was released by them just two years later in summer 2021. Photo: Stu Forster