After taking a look at all 11 of our new signings that joined us this summer, we thought we'd now take a look at the players who have now called it time on Wearside. Again, this will be split into two parts...
LEON DAJAKU
There were initial rumours that we'd received a fee for the German second striker but he actually departed on a free. On the basis of his time at Sunderland, getting a fee for him may have been slightly undeserved. He did start off strongly during his first season but after that teetered off into a rather frustrating player, seemingly always in the right positions or making a good run or two but lacking any end product. There was some hope for him last season after he was loaned out to St Gallen in Switzerland but that hope was quickly extinguished when he played 13 times, scored not a single goal and was somehow sent off twice in the space of three appearances. It's safe to say he needed to go for the sake of his career. Now at his new club, Hajduk Split of Croatia, Dajaku has gotten off to a much better start with two goals in eight so far. Still only 22, there's definitely time for him yet. Leon appeared 37 times in a Sunderland shirt, finding the net on four occasions.
CARL WINCHESTER
Carl was a player who many liked during his time here, as he was a part of the promotion winning side, always appeared to be absolutely chuffed to be playing for us and chipping in with an occasional goal. For this he was nicknamed 'Winiesta'. If we're being brutally honest however, he was never going to make much of an impact in the Championship and that's why he was loaned out to Shrewsbury. It turned out to be a great move for the Northern Irishman as he made 42 appearances and helped the Shropshire side to a top half finish in League One. He's now made that move permanent, on a free transfer, and the versatile midfielder/defender has since played another seven times for his new side. Carl played 67 times for SAFC, scoring four, and is now 30 years old and has continued his good relations with the club by appearing on the official Sunderland podcast.
JACOB CARNEY
Our third choice goalkeeper last campaign, it was slightly surprising to see him being released. The 22 year old only managed one game for the Black Cats in the EFL Trophy and has previous experience playing for Manchester United's youth sides and Portadown on loan. Most of his time at Sunderland was spent with the U21 team. Carney is currently a free agent - he almost signed for Stockport and has went on trial for Manchester United since leaving Wearside.
BAILEY WRIGHT
Everybody's favourite Australian, the centre back with 29 caps and two goals for his country utilised his experience brilliantly during his time here. He gave everything for the shirt, a fact best summed up by the image of blood running down his face after the second leg against Sheffield Wednesday. Also being one of two Sunderland players to go to the World Cup in Qatar, he certainly made a name for himself. A combination of younger players being brought in to compete for the centre back roll and probably Wright wanting to move closer to home led to his exit being more than likely. This began with a loan spell to Rotherham last season which was disappointing due to two bad injuries, being knocked out on his debut and then suffering a leg break in just seven outings for the South Yorkshire side. After recovering and returning to Wearside he then departed for Singaporean side Lion City Sailors on a free transfer, now at the age of 31. It's pleasing to see that Bailey's gotten off to a good start, four appearances so far and two goals from defence, as well as scoring against Tottenham in pre-season. The Aussie made 107 appearances and scored four during his time in the North East.
JOE ANDERSON
The first player on this list who will be returning to Sunderland due to going out on loan, and he's also at Shrewsbury like Winchester. The centre-back never really was given much opportunity to impress following his January acquisition, playing just four times. This is due to inexperience, as at one point he was one of the few players we had to start in that centre back role. But the club are showing patience with him, and to be fair Joe never really put a foot wrong when he did make one of his few outings, Shrewsbury looks like a good destination for Sunderland players after the success of Carl Winchester's spell there. The 22 year old has gotten off to a good start, six games played so far and two clean sheets already. He will face some stiff competition upon his return, but of course injuries and players departing may make it more likely for him to get more game time. He's not guaranteed a future here but it would be wrong to dismiss him entirely.
ALEX BASS
Another loan departure, this time to League Two's AFC Wimbledon. Bass was our back up goalkeeper last season and as such only played twice. An okay performance against Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup and a not-so-great performance against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup. He clearly wanted more game time, he's 25 now and surely doesn't want to be sitting on the bench for another season. AFC Wimbledon looks to be a good destination for him as they seem to be fighting for promotion. Bass has made a strong start, with seven games played, making him the apparent first choice goalkeeper there, and three clean sheets. Upon his return, the experience (and hopefully promotion medal) earned should serve him well to better fight for a place here, although that may be limited to fighting with Nathan Bishop for second choice. That is if he chooses not to leave, him leaving is also possible if he has a very good time at Wimbledon.
ISAAC LIHADJI
One of the more bizarre departures of the summer, Lihadji was here for all of about five minutes before deciding to go and play in Qatar - presumably because of the money floating around for player's wages over there. Despite rumours we'd made about £4 million by selling him, apparently that figure seems to be actually closer to £1.1 million. Quite bad considering we bought him for around £1.3 million, that's not to say there aren't any add ons to receive later on so perhaps it may become more profitable in the future. Moving on from the finances, he played only six competitive games and failed to score. Primarily a right winger, he always looked to have some potential in him - particularly in pre-season in Amad's absence. Making the odd good run forward or dribbling around an opponent, to be honest though he's not going to be the biggest of misses. It would have been nice to see him competing with Ba and Roberts for game time though, especially Ba as two young players going for the same role would have definitely helped their development. The 21 year old has so far played three times and scored once for his new club Al-Duhail.
