The former Sunderland and Bayern Munich flop is still a free agent after being released by Gennaro Gattuso

Ex-Sunderland and Bayern Munich winger Leon Dajaku remains without a club after his recent release.

Dajaku joined Sunderland from German club Union Berlin in 2021 before a clause was triggered in his contract to make the move permanent. The player eventually left Sunderland a couple of years later, having made 37 appearances for the Black Cats, scoring four goals and providing four assists.

After a stint in Croatia, though, Dajaku remains a free agent. After his last release, the player was linked with a move to Bulgarian first division side CSKA Sofia, but the move has not yet materialised. The German attacker was let go by Hajduk Split and AC Milan legend Gennaro Gattuso after alleged disciplinary issues last January.

Hajduk Split signed Ukranian forward Nazariy Rusyn from Sunderland on loan for the rest of the season. However, before that deal, the Italian coach wielded his axe on several squad members. Indeed, after his release earlier alongside another teammate, Gattuso revealed his reasoning for the absence from his team in typical bullish fashion.

"I let them into the team three months ago. I met with both of them five times, but you have to realize when the story is over. The Hajduk jersey and crest must be respected, and players must be professionals in the full sense of the word. These two players brought negativity, and I will not allow that. I would rather play with 15-year-olds and lose the match than lose my dignity."

Four years ago, Dajaku was linked with a move to Sheffield United, who were then in the Premier League. Championship side Swansea City were also credited with an interest in the forward alongside Italian clubs Sassuolo and Torino. For now, though, it appears Dajaku’s career is on ice.

What happened to Naz Rusyn at Sunderland?

Rusyn completed a loan move to Croatian side Hajduk Split last January after struggling for game time through the first half of the campaign on Wearside. The Black Cats decided it was best that he moved in search of regular minutes between now and the end of the campaign. It has been confirmed that the Croatian side have the option to make the move permanent at the end of the season.

Reports in Europe following the completion of the deal have claimed that the option will be for a fee of around €2.5million, which works out at around £2.1million. Rusyn will work under the management of AC Milan legend Gattuso.

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“I’d like to thank the management of Sunderland and Hajduk for the professionalism they showed during this transfer and the fact that they went out of their way to accommodate me. I can’t wait to play in front of the legendary Hajduk fans and help the team achieve its goals for this season,” said the Sunderland loanee after making the move.

Sunderland’s sporting director Kristjaan Speakman added that he believed it was the right move for all parties. “We wanted to find the right opening in this window for Nazariy to play more minutes and Hajduk represents a great opportunity for him,” he said. “The combination of playing style and a Club competing for a league title provides the perfect foundation for him at this moment in time and we wish him well for the remainder of the season.”