Sunderland has decided to part ways with their midfielder Darron Gibson by mutual consent. According to recent reports, the Black Cats suspended the former Manchester United player last month after he was charged with DUI (Drinking Under Influence) and now the club has opted to mutually terminate his contract and release him.
The Black Cats have confirmed on their official website that the Republic of Ireland midfielder will leave the Stadium of Light after his suspension comes to a close. Gibson signed for the Tyneside outfit from Everton during the January transfer period of 2017. He has gone on to feature in 30 matches for Chris Coleman’s team since then. The 30-year-old stayed loyal to the Black Cats even after the club were relegated to the Skybet Championship last year.
The ex-Everton midfielder has featured in just 15 matches for Sunderland this season with his last appearance coming on the first day of 2018. He has gathered a lot of experience in English football while playing for clubs such as Wolves, Manchester United, Everton and Sunderland during his career. Only time will tell whether the Sunderland’s decision to release the midfielder turns out to be the correct move.
The Tyneside outfit are currently in deep trouble as they find themselves in the relegation zone after only managing to secure a point away at Leeds United last weekend. Chris Coleman has a massive task of conjuring up a miracle comeback to save the club’s Skybet Championship lives going into the business end of the campaign. They are still eight points away from safety with just 5 matches to go.
The departure of Gibson will slightly deplete the Black Cats’ midfield options but it should not have much effect on their relegation battle as the midfielder has only been a sporadic feature in Chris Coleman’s first-team during the course of this campaign. Gibson’s departure could now drive the focus back on the club rather than the player’s off the field antics which could aid them in their quest to save themselves from suffering back to back demotions in consecutive seasons.
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Sunderland have the likes of Lee Cattermole, Jack Rodwell, Ovie Ejaria and George Honeyman vying for a place in Coleman’s first-team. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Gibson and whether the Tynesiders are able to avoid relegation without his services this term.
