Sunderland AFC today confirmed its retained list for the 2021-22 season.
Aiden McGeady, Denver Hume and Luke O’Nien will be offered new contracts at the Stadium of Light and discussions continue to take place with Charlie Wyke over his future at the club.
An option has also been exercised to extend Oliver Younger’s deal until June 2022.
Callum McFadzean, Chris Maguire, Conor McLaughlin, Grant Leadbitter, Max Power, Josh Scowen and Remi Matthews have not been offered new terms and will leave the club when their respective contracts expire on 30 June 2021.
Dion Sanderson, Jake Vokins and Jordan Jones have also returned to their parent clubs.
Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman said: “We would like to place on record our appreciation to the players who will be leaving the club this summer. Although we have been unable to achieve our core objective, they were instrumental in bringing silverware back to Wearside and we wish each of them every success in the next stage of their careers. We have had to make some tough decisions, but we firmly believe they are in the best interests of Sunderland AFC in the long term.”
Lee Johnson added: “The players have worked extremely hard this season in very difficult circumstances and their reward for that was a trophy-winning season and a Play-Off spot. We are all disappointed we couldn’t achieve our ultimate goal of winning League One, but we thank the players for their endeavours and commitment and we will always welcome them back to the football club with open arms. As we look to a new dawn, there are many reasons to be optimistic about our future as we continue to rebuild the football club.”
The following senior players are retained under contract:
Aiden O’Brien
Anthony Patterson
Arbenit Xhemajli
Bailey Wright
Benjamin Kimpioka
Carl Winchester
Dan Neil
Elliot Embleton
George Dobson
Jack Diamond
Jordan Willis
Josh Hawkes
Lee Burge
Lynden Gooch
Oliver Younger
Ross Stewart
Tom Flanagan
Will Grigg
Denver Hume
Luke O’Nien
Aiden McGeady
Charlie Wyke
The following senior players are to be released:
Callum McFadzean
Chris Maguire
Conor McLaughlin
Grant Leadbitter
Josh Scowen
Max Power
Remi Matthews
The following senior players have returned to their parent clubs:
Dion Sanderson
Jake Vokins
Jordan Jones