Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Mon 5 May 2025 13:57, UK

Sunderland’s Championship rivals have announced that a former Black Cats star will be leaving the club this summer.

Focus for Sunderland will be on the playoffs against Coventry before any of their own transfer considerations are made, but with the Championship season now ended for all but six of the teams within it, departures are now being announced.

A handful of Sunderland players are already expected to leave at the end of the season, while there will be decisions to make on several others.

With that said, it’s a departure of a player from Stoke City which will stand out for Sunderland supporters.

Lynden Gooch set for Stoke City exit

Very few players leave Sunderland and maintain their relationship with those on Wearside, but Lynden Gooch was certainly an exception.

After a remarkable 11 years as a Black Cats player, Gooch left Wearside to link up with now-Millwall manager Alex Neil, but as confirmed via the Stoke City X account, the American will move on again this summer after the expiry of his two-year contract.

The 29-year-old became a regular under Neil at Stoke before his sacking, while injuries have prevented him from having much of a say in the latter stage of the current campaign.

Where the American-born academy graduate ventures next is yet to be seen, but it will undoubtedly be something that Sunderland fans keep an eye on.

Sunderland have decisions to make of their own

Until Sunderland are aware of their playoff fate, any decisions will be put on hold, but there will be a lot of work to be done in the summer, regardless of the outcome.

Several players will have heavy interest from other clubs, while others may be deemed surplus to requirements depending on which division the Wearsiders are in.

All of Sunderland’s focus for now will be on Friday’s clash with Coventry City, where they will be looking to end their run of 40 years without a win away from home against the Sky Blues.