Sunderland have confirmed the departure of academy graduate Denver Hume to League One rivals Portsmouth.
The full-back joined the Black Cats as a 10-year-old and spent 13 years on Wearside, making 82 appearances and scoring three times.
However, Hume has struggled for game-time under Lee Johnson this season, and the promise of first-team football at Fratton Park has paved the way for the 23-year-old's exit for an undisclosed fee.
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Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: “Naturally, Denver wants to be playing regular football to move his career forward, but he’s found himself out of the team and played less than 20 games in the past 12 months.
"As an academy graduate, we want to support and maximise his development and this is a natural progression for him in the current circumstances.
"We look forward to watching Denver’s future development from afar and we wish him the best of luck at Fratton Park."
Hume made his senior debut in the home victory over Wolves on May 6, 2018, and would develop into a first-team regular during the 2019/20 campaign.
The full-back stalled on signing a contact extension last summer, and eventually agreed a two-year deal in September by which point Johnson has signed Dennis Cirkin and Niall Huggins.
Hamstring and ankle injuries derailed Hume further, and the defender has made just four substitute appearances in League One this season.
Rumours of a switch to Portsmouth emerged last week, and Johnson admitted the academy graduate was disappointed by his lack of minutes this term.
The Black Cats boss said: "I can't say much on that [the link with Portsmouth], if I'm honest, because Denver is in a situation where he is under contract with us
"Denver would be disappointed in recent weeks because I know he is keen to play every minute of every game, but that's what you want [from a player].
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"Obviously, we had the whole saga over the summer with the contract and that was put to bed, and I have been happy with Denver.
"There have been issues whether it has been fitness, form, Covid, but at the same time as we speak now Denver is in a really good place and he's ready to jump in at the drop of a hat."
