Sunderland continue January sales after offloading winger

Winger Mavrias appeared as a second half substitute in the FA Cup third round defeat at Arsenal earlier this month, yet that was the Greek's first appearance for Sunderland in two years.

The 21-year-old has been training and playing with Sunderland Under-21s this season after a proposed move to Panathinaikos fell through last summer, following a loan spell at the Greek club.

But Mavrias - who has 18 months remaining on his Sunderland contract - now has a chance to play regular first-team football after joining Dusseldorf until the end of the campaign, with a view to a permanent switch next summer.

"I am very happy that the move has gone through," said Mavrias.

"I'm looking forward and concentrating on the task to show Fortuna what I can do as soon as possible."

Mavrias is the latest player to leave the Stadium of Light in this window, with Danny Graham, Costel Pantilimon and Will Buckley all departing.

And there could still be further exit, with midfielder Jordi Gomez made available for transfer and Sebastian Coates in talks with Portugese side Sporting Lisbon.