According to latest reports, Sunderland have terminated the contract of Didier Ndong after he failed to report in pre-season training which was held in July. The Gabonese midfielder’s whereabouts were not known even in August, and it seems like the Black Cats officials have had enough as they have served a notice to the player regarding his contract discontinuation.
Sunderland signed Ndong for big money in 2016 as they shelled out close to £13m to acquire his services. The 24-year-old made 21 appearances last season and often played in the central midfield or a bit deep in a defensive midfield role.
Sunderland released a statement stating,”Sunderland AFC has given notice under its contract with Didier Ndong. The player, who was under contract with the club until June 2021, failed to return to Sunderland for pre-season training in July as scheduled, nor in the subsequent months, that followed. No reason was given for his failure to report and continued absence. “
”As a result, the club has accepted Didier Ndong’s repudiatory breaches of contract and notice of the same has been provided to the player. Sunderland AFC does so whilst retaining the right to pursue the player and any club he may subsequently join in relation to compensation for the value of the player.”
Sunderland tried to sell him in the summer, but the player failed to agree on personal terms with Torino and Benfica.
The player earlier said that he would like to help his side to achieve promotion but going AWOL from the club was indeed not the right way to go about business. The Gabonese was brought in to do the job of a midfield enforcer when the Black Cats were still in the English top flight.
He wasn’t the most technically gifted player on the ball, but he used his strength and power well to dictate games in midfield. When on a song, the 24-year-old’s passing range was quite delightful but alas he had to ruin it all by not turning up for the preseason camps. Maybe Ndong felt playing in the third tier of English football was beneath his reputation.
The club would have hoped for a much better return from him, but it seems like the Gabonese player was keen to put an end to his Sunderland career. The midfielder had turned up at the Tyneside club a few days earlier, but it was too late as the Black Cats couldn’t tolerate any more of his tantrums. Credit to Jack Ross and the board for taking such a decision as Ndong was one of the most high profile players in the current squad and he also happens to be their all-time record signing. It sends a statement that no one is above the club. Good for Sunderland.
