Corry Evans and Bradley Dack Sunderland exits confirmed

Club captain Evans, along with Dack, had been expected to leave the club this summer at the end of their deals and that has now been confirmed while academy graduate Ellis Taylor will also see his time at the Stadium of Light come to an end. Jack Diamond, who has spent the second half of the season on loan with Carlisle United, will also leave the club this summer.

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Northern Irishman Evans joined Sunderland in the summer of 2021 ahead of what would be the club's promotion winning campaign from League One, with the midfielder playing a key role in that season having made 43 appearances for club and country following his exit from Blackburn Rovers. 

Evans was named club captain by head coach Lee Johnson that summer and helped lead Sunderland to play-off success over Wycombe Wanderers before being a mainstay in the side for the first half of their Championship return until picking up a season-ending injury in the Wear-Tees derby win over Middlesbrough in January 2023. 

Since then, the midfielder has had over a year out of the side before making his return towards the end of this season when featuring in the final three games against Millwall, Watford and Sheffield Wednesday. Evans leaves having made 67 appearances across his three year spell.

"After moving to the Stadium of Light in July 2021, and making 67 appearances in red and white, Corry Evans will leave the club this summer," a club statement read.

"The midfielder captained Sunderland throughout an unforgettable run at the end of the 2021-22 season, which culminated in victory at Wembley Stadium and promotion to the Championship.

"A popular figure within the dressing room and on the terraces, Evans bids farewell having played an important role in the club’s progression throughout the past three seasons."

Evans commented on his exit from the club by admitting it has been the 'greatest honour' of his career to captain Sunderland over the course of the last three years. 

"It is with a heavy heart that I announce my departure from the club. This club, and all of you, have been my family for the past three years, and leading this team as captain has been the greatest honour of my career. Your unwavering support, passion, and loyalty have been a constant source of inspiration to me and my team-mates.

"Together, we've experienced unforgettable highs. That day at Wembley is one that I will never forget. It's been a privilege to fight for this badge and to represent you on the pitch.

"Though my journey with Sunderland is coming to an end, myself and my family will forever be supporting you. Thank you for everything, and I wish the club nothing but success in the future."

Evans will be joined by Dack who sees his time on Wearside come to an end after just one season. 

Dack was brought in at the request of former head coach Tony Mowbray last summer but has made just 16 appearances this season, only six as a starter, as the former Blackburn man also struggled with injury. Sunderland are understood to have held an option on both Dack and Evans' deals to extend beyond this summer but the club have turned down those options.

Mason Burstow and Callum Styles have both returned to their parent clubs, Chelsea and Barnsley, although Sunderland retain the option on a return for Hungarian midfielder Styles should they choose to make that deal permanent later this summer. Burstow made 20 appearances this season but managed just one goal in the win over Stoke City while January loan signing Styles featured 12 times, predominantly as cover at left wing-back.

Outside of the men’s senior squad, the club has also confirmed Ben Creamer, Callum Wilson, Connor Pye, Daniel Obolo, Harry Gardiner, Jayden Sekete, Joe Ryder, Kailem Beattie, Michael Spellman and Thomas Chiabi will depart the academy this summer with 21-year-old academy captain Taylor also set to leave the club after over a decade at the Stadium of Light. 

Taylor has made just five senior appearances for Sunderland after making his debut in the League Cup in 2021. Taylor has been on the periphery for a number of years having progressed through the club’s development groups from the age of nine before spending time on loan with Hartlepool United in the 2022-23 campaign.

Taylor returned to Sunderland as was named academy captain this season where he has helped guide his team to a seventh-placed finish in Premier League 2 and the semi-finals of the play-off stage, including his recent strike in the win over West Ham United. 

Another of the club's academy graduates who will also leave the club this summer is Diamond. The winger departs having made 45 appearances for Sunderland with a number of Football League loan spells including Carlisle, Lincoln City and Harrogate Town.

Teenager Chris Rigg is included in the club's retained list with news of his first pro deal still to be confirmed ahead of the summer. New or professional contracts offered include; Cuba Mitchell, Daniel Cameron, Henry Fieldson, Jenson Jones, Luke Bell, Tom Lavery.

"All at Sunderland AFC would like to thank our departing players for their professionalism and commitment and we wish them well for the future," a statement concluded.

Sunderland AFC’s 2024-25 retained list in full:

Men’s team: Abdoullah Ba, Adil Aouchiche, Aji Alese, Alex Bass, Anthony Patterson, Chris Rigg, Dan Ballard, Dan Neil, Dennis Cirkin, Eliezer Mayenda, Elliot Embleton, Jack Clarke, Jay Matete, Jenson Seelt, Jewison Bennette, Jobe Bellingham, Joe Anderson, Leo Hjelde, Luis Hemir, Luke O’Nien Nathan Bishop, Nazariy Rusyn, Nectar Triantis Niall Huggins, Patrick Roberts, Pierre Ekwah, Romaine Mundle, Timothée Pembélé, Trai Hume.

Academy: Aaron Chungh, Adam Richardson, Ben Crompton, Ben Middlemas, Caden Kelly, Ethan Moore, Jaydon Jones, Ben Kindon, Ben Metcalf, Daniel Parker, Harrison Jones, Jack Whittaker, Jake Waters, Kelechi Chibueze, Marshall Burke, Matthew Young, Oliver Bainbridge, Rhys Walsh, Tommy Watson, Timur Tutierov, Trey Ogunsuyi, Zak Johnson.