Sunderland confirm retained list after Premier League promotion.

 

SUNDERLAND has announced the departure of six young players after confirming their retained list for the 2025/26 season.

Except for Tommy Watson, who left Sunderland for Brighton earlier this year, all of the club’s first-team players have been retained.

That excludes loanees Chris Mepham and Salis Abdul Samed, who have both returned to their respective clubs.

It’s unclear if the Black Cats will pursue permanent contracts for either player this summer.

Mepham was a standout, appearing in 40 games and coming off the bench in the second minute of the play-off final after Luke O’Nien dislocated his shoulder. Sheffield United has been linked with a summer transfer for the Bournemouth defender. His contract with the Cherries expires this summer, but the Premier League club has the option of extending it for another year.

Samed made only 11 appearances in an injury-plagued season, but Sunderland said the Lens midfielder “became an equally important figure in the dressing room throughout the campaign”.

Watson has joined Brighton following his heroic stoppage time winner at Wembley.

Sunderland have confirmed six departures, including under-21 players Ben Crompton, Cuba Mitchell, Caden Kelly, and Kelechi Chibueze. Aaron Chung and Daniel Parker, both second-year scholars, will also depart.

Ben Middlemas, Oliver Bainbridge, Marshall Burke, and Daniel Cameron have agreed to one-year extensions, while Ethan Moore and Timur Tutierov have been offered new contracts.

Sunderland has also given Ben Kindon, Ben Metcalf, Jack Whittaker, and Jaydon Jones their first professional contracts.

The club issued the following statement: “All at SAFC thank each departing player for their respective contributions, and we wish them well in the next chapter of their careers.”

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