Sunderland are already preparing for the 2024/25 season – and will come up against some of their former players.
The Black Cats finished 16th in the Championship and will hope for better during the upcoming campaign. We’ve taken a look at some former Sunderland players who are under contract at other second-tier clubs who they could come up against.
5. Ellis Simms (Coventry)
Simms initially struggled at Coventry, scoring just twice in his first 21 league games. The 23-year-old managed to turn his season around, though, scoring 19 goals in all competitions.Photo: Nathan Stirk
6. Josh Maja (West Brom)
Following his move to the Hawthorns on a free transfer, Maja missed most of the season after suffering multiple injury setbacks. The 25-year-old did return before the end of the last campaign but made just 12 league appearances in total.Photo: Frank Reid
7. Jake Clarke-Salter (QPR)
Clarke-Salter has also been a regular at QPR, after joining the club permanently from Chelsea in 2022. The 26-year-old defender made 33 Championship appearances during the 2023/24 season.Photo: Nathan Stirk
8. Sam Greenwood (Leeds)
After a season on loan at Middlesbrough, Greenwood will return to parent club Leeds ahead of the 2024/25 season. Boro had an option to sign the 22-year-old permanently but opted not to activate the clause.Photo: George Wood