How Sunderland's summer departures have fared - including Everton and Manchester City loanees: photo gallery
There was plenty of change at Sunderland over the summer – as ten players left the club either permanently or on loan.
The Black Cats were immediately looking to strengthen following their promotion from League One, as several players weren’t offered new deals following the end of their contracts.
Sunderland also had a handful of loan players during the 2021/22 season who then returned to their parent clubs.
We’ve taken a closer look at what happened to the players who left Wearside at the end of the last campaign.
We’ve taken a closer look at what happened to the players who left Wearside at the end of the last campaign.
5. Jordan Willis - Free agent
While Willis wasn't offered a new contract at Sunderland in the summer, the defender has still been training with the Black Cats as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury. The-28-year-old suffered a ruptured patella tendon during a match at Shrewsbury in 2021.
Photo: Frank Reid
6. Will Grigg - MK Dons
Grigg's final appearance for Sunderland came during a Carabao Cup tie at Port Vale last season, before he was loaned out to Rotherham. The 31-year-old scored twice in 19 League One appearances for the Millers, before re-signing for MK Dons when his Sunderland contract expired in the summer. This season Grigg has scored three times in seven appearances for a struggling Dons side.
Photo: Frank Reid
7. Aiden McGeady - Hibernian
Despite being part of the club’s promotion celebrations at Wembley, McGeady’s Sunderland career came to an underwhelming end as he missed most of the 2021/22 season with a knee injury. The 36-year-old then linked up with former Black Cats boss Lee Johnson at Hibs, after the winger’s Sunderland contract expired, yet McGeady is yet to feature in the league due to a recurrence of his knee issue.
Photo: Frank Reid
8. Arbenit Xhemajli - FC Vaduz
Perhaps a case of what could have been after the Kosovan defender was sidelined for over a year with a cruciate knee ligament injury. The 24-year-old showed great resolve to come back and play a part in Sunderland’s promotion campaign, yet he wasn’t offered a new deal. The centre-back instead returned to Switzerland to sign for second-tier side FC Vaduz, where he has started four consecutive league games.
Photo: Frank Reid