Sunderland offload another misfit as winger joins Sheffield Wednesday

While the Black Cats have been unable to make any incoming signings so far this summer, they have shifted several players considered surplus to requirements at the Stadium of Light, with Emanuele Giaccherini, Santiago Vergini and Adam Matthews all finding new clubs.

Buckley - who will link up with ex-Sunderland team-mate Steven Fletcher at Wednesday - is the latest to leave, with the 26-year-old returning to the Championship after loan spells at Birmingham and Leeds last season.

The former Brighton man's move to Hillsborough will take him through to the end of his Sunderland contract after he hasn't featured for the Black Cats since May 2015.

Buckley's departure leaves just Charis Mavrias, Jordi Gomez and Liam Bridcutt as the sole pieces of dead-wood left at the club.

Bridcutt is on the verge of leaving too, with Leeds and Sunderland close to reaching an agreement over a permanent switch.