Bailey Wright has joined Rotherham on loan for the rest of the season, the Australian featured 14 times in the league for us but moves to The Millers in the hope for more game time.
Last season Bailey was one of the key reasons for us gaining promotion. His versatility to be able to play right back came in handy when Gooch was still learning the position. One thing I’ll always remember is the photo of a bloody Bailey after the second leg of the Play-Off Semi-Final away at Hillsborough. He was battered and bloody and you could see from this one still image he fought for everything - one of his best performances in a red a white shirt. He then followed that up with an impressive display at Wembley.
Though this deal is only a loan, I don’t really see him ever getting back into this Sunderland squad unfortunately, with the likes of Ballard and Alese impressing almost immediately. So if Rotherham don’t make it permanent in the summer, I still think we’ve seen the last of Wright in the red and white of Sunderland.
Kristjaan Speakman had this to say on the departure: “Bailey is the ultimate professional and he has been an outstanding member of our squad, especially over the last 18 months. Tony and I have had numerous conversations with him this season because his game time has been limited and he is motivated to play regularly – we agreed that if the right opportunity presented itself in January, we would not stand in his way and we believe this move is the best outcome for all parties. All at SAFC are grateful for Bailey’s contribution – on and off the pitch – and we wish him the best of luck.”
