Luke:Wefellshortofour aims - you deserve more
Luke O’Nien has penned an emotional message to fans after Sunderland “fell short” during the 2023-24 season.
The Black Cats finished 16th in the Championship last season after placing sixth – and in the playoffs – during the previous campaign.
O’Nien played 43 times for Sunderland in the league under Tony Mowbray, Michael Beale and Mike Dodds, also captaining the side in the absence of Corry Evans.
Having reflected on a disappointing season, the 29-year-old central defender wrote an emotional message to fans and conceded that he and his teammates “fell short” – and that fans of the club “deserved more”.
“A fortnight ago, I had the proudest and most unforgettable moment of being able to take my kids out of the tunnel at the last game of the season,” O’Nien wrote on social media.
“As I reflect on another completed season, I have a range of emotions. I am proud to have worn the red and white each and every time and thankful for another season with good health in body and mind.
"But I also acknowledge that we fell short of where we aimed to be.
“You fans deserve more than what we gave you this season. The prospect of returning next season to deliver that, armed with this season's experience and taking on the lessons, fills me with excitement.
"I look forward to seeing you all next season with the unwavering support of this incredible club once again. Until next season, thank you @SunderlandAFC for everything.”
Former Sunderland pair Sam Greenwood and Paddy McNair, meanwhile, have left Middlesbrough.
Greenwood, who came through the ranks on
Wearside before signing for Arsenal in 2018, joined Boro on loan from Leeds United last summer, with an option to make the deal permanent for a reported £1.5million fee.
However, he will not remain at the Riverside next season, despite scoring five times in 37 league appearances this past term.
The Teessiders confirmed in their retained list this week that the 22-year-old would return to Elland Road. Greenwood joined Leeds from Arsenal in 2020, has made 35 appearances for the Yorkshire outfit and has two years left on his contract after agreeing an extension in 2022.
He scored for Boro against Sunderland last season, and said: “My family are all Sunderland fans. I went to school in Sunderland so literally all my mates are Sunderland fans but I just have to be professional about it. I’m a Middlesbrough player now and I’ll fight for Middlesbrough. It’s all about the team I’m at, so I’m going to go for the win.”
Middlesbrough have also allowed ex-Sunderland and Manchester United man McNair to leave this summer following the end of the defender’s contract. The Red Devils academy graduate has spent six seasons at the Riverside and made 219 appearances for the club.