Sunderland’s preparations for the new Championship season got underway earlier this month when they confirmed their retained list.
Despite still awaiting the appointment of a permanent successor to former manager Michael Beale, the Black Cats hierarchy made decisions over the future of several current members of their squad. The headline name departing the Stadium of Light was Corry Evans as his three-year stay on Wearside will officially come to an end when his contract expires next month.
The former Hull City and Blackburn Rovers star released a classy statement when the news was announced as he described captaining the Black Cats as ‘the greatest honour of his career’. Evans was not the only player to depart as midfielder Bradley Dack, winger Jack Diamond and Ellis Taylor were also named on the released list.
In what is always a difficult time of the year for players, every club across the EFL has gone through a similar process and that means there are some eye-catching names available on free transfers this summer.
The former Hull City and Blackburn Rovers star released a classy statement when the news was announced as he described captaining the Black Cats as ‘the greatest honour of his career’. Evans was not the only player to depart as midfielder Bradley Dack, winger Jack Diamond and Ellis Taylor were also named on the released list.
![Released: Nicky Cadden, Robbie Cundy, Devante Cole, Herbie Kane, Jordan Williams, Joe Ackroyd, Mylan Benjamin, Daniel Benson, Paul Cooper, Alex Joof, Josh McKay, Astin Brace, Rafael Monteiro, Trent Carter-Rogers, Luke Grimshaw.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/05/20/9/23/GettyImages-2150462266.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
25. Barnsley
Released: Nicky Cadden, Robbie Cundy, Devante Cole, Herbie Kane, Jordan Williams, Joe Ackroyd, Mylan Benjamin, Daniel Benson, Paul Cooper, Alex Joof, Josh McKay, Astin Brace, Rafael Monteiro, Trent Carter-Rogers, Luke Grimshaw. | Getty Images
![Released: Mackenzie Chapman, Callum Connolly, Marvin Ekpiteta, Dannen Francis, Brad Holmes, Shayne Lavery, Donovan Lescott, Luke Mariette, Will Squires, Tayt Trusty, Matty Virtue. Returned to parent club: George Byers, Hayden Coulson, Karamoko Dembele, Jordan Rhodes. In negotiations: James Husband, Tyler Hill](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmJjMWFjZTU3LTA2ZmYtNDNiMC04MjkzLTM5NTUxYTlhZDVjNTpmNGYxZjFjNS0xNmUzLTRiNmQtYTIyOC04ZTM1MWY4NzE3NjI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
26. Blackpool
Released: Mackenzie Chapman, Callum Connolly, Marvin Ekpiteta, Dannen Francis, Brad Holmes, Shayne Lavery, Donovan Lescott, Luke Mariette, Will Squires, Tayt Trusty, Matty Virtue. Returned to parent club: George Byers, Hayden Coulson, Karamoko Dembele, Jordan Rhodes. In negotiations: James Husband, Tyler Hill Photo: David Rogers
![Released: Sam Finley, John Marquis, Josh Grant, Lewis Gordon, James Gibbons, Harvey Greenslade, Ryan Jones. Returned to parent club: Harvey Vale, Tristan Crama, Matt Cox, Elkan Baggott, Harry Vaughan, Brandon Aguilera. In negotiations: Scott Sinclair, Jordan Rossiter, Luca Hoole](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjZmMDg1MTAyLTczZDEtNDExMC1hZjk4LTdjOWQ2YmIxODk1OTozMzZlZjljNS1hN2IxLTQ5ZDQtYjNiZS1lMzM3MDg0ZTE0N2Y=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
27. Bristol Rovers
Released: Sam Finley, John Marquis, Josh Grant, Lewis Gordon, James Gibbons, Harvey Greenslade, Ryan Jones. Returned to parent club: Harvey Vale, Tristan Crama, Matt Cox, Elkan Baggott, Harry Vaughan, Brandon Aguilera. In negotiations: Scott Sinclair, Jordan Rossiter, Luca Hoole Photo: Dan Mullan
![Released: Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Cameron Jerome, Declan John, Jack Flint, Finlay Lockett, Gerald Sithole, Matthew Tweedley, Lamine Toure and Eric Yoro.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/05/25/10/55/GettyImages-2151934267.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
28. Bolton Wanderers
Released: Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Cameron Jerome, Declan John, Jack Flint, Finlay Lockett, Gerald Sithole, Matthew Tweedley, Lamine Toure and Eric Yoro. | Getty Images