Defoe first in big Cats shake-up
JERMAIN DEFOE’S departure is just the start for Sunderland as another major squad overhaul looms this summer.
Regardless of their status next season, the League One promotionchasers must address the futures of more than a dozen players.
Defoe, 39, returned to Sunderland for a second spell on a free from Rangers last month, but he struggled to make an impression, earning only two starts and failing to score, and this week confirmed his retirement.
And Black Cats boss Alex Neil won’t count on fellow veteran Aiden McGeady for next term.
The winger, 35, hasn’t featured since November due to a nagging knee issue in what is expected to be his farewell season.
Micky Horswill, a midfielder in the Black Cats’ 1973 FA Cup-winning side, said: “Alex got Norwich into the Premier League, but League One is completely different and he’ll have done a fabulous job if Sunderland finish in the play-offs.’’