Sunderland will strengthen their squad over the summer after reaching the play-offs in their first season back in the Championship. The Black Cats returned to the second tier after a four-year stay in League One and outperformed expectations as they finished sixth in the table.
Tony Mowbray's squad - the youngest in the division - had to cope with a catalogue of long-term injury problems to star men including Ross Stewart, Corry Evans, and Dan Ballard. Those injury issues exposed areas that need reinforcing next season, not least with the addition of at least one more cenntre-forward, and further central defensive cover.
Towards the end of the season, Mowbray said he had held talks with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman and head of recruitment Stuart Harvey to make plans for the summer, and those plans will be finalised and acted upon before the new season begins. Sunderland are again likely to combine paid-for signings with free agents and loan additions to bolster their squad.
READ MORE: One senior player departs as Sunderland publish retained list ahead of 2023-34 season
The Black Cats have announced their retained list with Carl Winchester the only senior player out of contract, and he had already confirmed that he will be leaving after spending last season on loan at League One Shrewsbury Town. The majority of Championship clubs have already made their retained lists public already, and some of the players released may come into the thinking of Sunderland's recruitment department.
Here is a full list of the Championship players who are free agents this summer.
Birmingham City
Released: Maxime Colin, Harlee Dean, Troy Deeney, George Friend, Jordan Graham, Kevin Long
Blackburn Rovers
Released: Daniel Ayala, Sam Burns, Dan Butterworth, Bradley Dack, Ben Brereton Diaz, Aidan Dowling, Dan Pike
Blackpool
Released: Keshi Anderson, Liam Bridcutt, Luke Garbutt, Harvey Hughes, Beryly Lubala, Gary Madine, Chris Maxwell, Stuart Moore, Curtis Nelson, Kevin Stewart, Joe Strawn, Jordan Thorniley
Bristol City
Released: Nathan Baker, Jay Dasilva, Taylor Moore, James Morton
In talks: Tomas Kalas, Andy King, Han-Noah Massengo
Burnley
Released: Matt Lowton
Cardiff City
Released: Dillon Phillips, Tom Sang, Gavin Whyte, Connor Wickham
In talks: Joel Bagan, Mark Harris, Eli King
Coventry City
Released: Fankaty Dabo, Julien Dacosta, Todd Kane, Sean Maguire, Michael Rose, Martyn Waghorn, Tyler Walker
Offered new contract: Liam Kelly
Huddersfield Town
Released: Rolando Aarons, Romoney Critchlow, Matty Daly, Danny Grant, Florian Kamberi, Josh Ruffels, Ryan Schofield, Tomas Vaclik
In talks: Luke Daley, Josh Koroma, Danny Ward
Hull City
Released: Billy Chadwick, Callum Elder, Tyler Smith
Offered new contract: David Robson
Luton Town
Released: Sonny Bradley, Harrry Isted, Henri Lansbury
In talks: Amari’i Bell, Luke Berry, Tom Lockyer, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu
Middlesbrough
Released: Luke Daniels, Darnell Fisher, Grant Hall, Joe Lumley
Millwall
Released: Mason Bennett, Scott Malone
Offered new contracts: Ryan Leonard, Connal Trueman
Norwich City
Released: Sam Byram, Kieran Dowell, Michael McGovern, Josh Martin, Teemu Pukki, Danel Sinani
Preston North End
Released: Dana Amaral, Aaron Bennett, Lewis Coulton, Harry Nevin, Matthew Olosunde
Offered new contracts: Robbie Brady, Greg Cunningham, Daniel Johnson, Josh Onomah
Queens Park Rangers
Released: Ody Alfa, Luke Amos, Leon Balogun, Conor Masterson, Charlie Owens, Olamide Shodipo
Offered new contracts: Jordan Archer, Elijah Dixon-Bonner, Aaron Drewe, Stephen Duke-McKenna, Chris Martin
Reading
Released: Scott Dann, Lucas Joao, Shane Long, Liam Moore, Luke Southwood, Dejan Tete
Offered new contracts: Junior Hoilett, Amadou Mbengue, Yakou Meite
Rotherham
Released: Wes Harding, Robbie Hemfrey, Mackenzie Warne, Richard Wood
In talks: Tyler Blackett, Sean Morrison, Chiedozie Ogbene, Lee Peltier, Josh Vickers
Sheffield United
Released: Kyron Gordon, Jack O'Connell, Billy Sharp, Enda Stevens
Contract offer made: Zak Brunt, John Fleck, Ben Osborn, Jack Robinson
Stoke City
Released: Sam Clucas, Demeaco Duhaney, Aden Flint, Morgan Fox, Phil Jagielka, Tashan Oakley-Boothe, Nick Powell
Offered new contract: Frank Fielding
Swansea City
Released: Andreas Sondergaard
Set to leave as things stand: Joel Latibeaudiere, Ryan Manning, Kyle Naughton
Watford
Released: Britt Assombalonga, Leandro Bacuna
In talks: Craig Cathcart, Tom Cleverley, Dan Gosling
West Bromwich Albion
Released: Kean Bryan, Jake Livermore, Tom Rogic
In talks: Erik Pieters
Wigan Athletic
Released: Steven Caulker, Joe Bennett, Jordan Cousins, Tendayi Darikwa, Gwion Edwards, Ryan Nyambe
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