Benji Kimpioka's Sunderland future up in the air as sporting director issues update

The forward’s contract expired in the summer but he has been offered a new deal by Sunderland, though he is yet to commit.

Kimpioka has been spending time training with former side IK Sirius back in Sweden.

The 20-year-old officially became a free agent on June 30 when his Sunderland contract expired.

Kimpioka had previously trained with the Swedish side just after the English season was suspended, before returning to Wearside as hopes of League One kicking-off once more mounted.

But with the League One season curtailed, he returned to Sweden to train with IK Sirius.

The club’s sporting director Ola Andersson has confirmed they won’t be signing him with the striker keen to continue playing outside of Sweden.

He said: “We have only promised to stand up and train him. I have not entered into any discussions but he has declared that he wants to go outside Sweden again.”

Earlier this summer, the young forward said he ‘wants to stay’ at the Stadium of Light – but is taking his time to assess his options.

"Right now I'm waiting a bit, talking to my agent and family to see how we should do in the window that is coming,” he said.

“Sunderland is a club that I love and I like everyone there, all the coaches, players and staff in the club.

“We'll see. I want to stay there, but everything is in God's hands.”

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