Jermain Defoe's much anticipated Sunderland return was one of the stories of the January transfer window. The return of the prodigal son coming home to fire the Black Cats to the Championship.
Things haven't quite panned out that way. In truth, the majority of Sunderland supporters knew the Defoe that signed on the dotted line two months ago was not the same player who gave them so many brilliant memories in the Premier League.
A Tyne-Wear derby winner saw him write his name into Black Cats folklore, but it was his friendship with young Bradley Lowery that captured the hearts of the city. A man full of compassion in the modern game where players personalities are stifled.
READ MORE: Sunderland's Jermain Defoe announces retirement on career spanning four decades
Defoe's return to Wearside in January was a sign of hope amid all the ongoing issues behind the scenes at Sunderland. Ownership quarrels have blighted the club over the past few months, and whether it was a tactic from the owners to divert any heat or not, his return certainly sparked excitement.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Defoe said: "It's crazy because all I've ever done is work hard. I know everyone says that, but that's all I've ever done is work hard. Every club I've been at I've just wanted to impress and every manager that's ever signed me I've just wanted to make the manager proud.
"That's all I've done. I've never cut any corners and done it the hard way. I've stayed behind after training and practiced my finishing, eaten well, sleeping well, just tried to give myself the best opportunity to have a good career. At the end of the day, I've done everything right."
That approach to his game is one of the reasons why he's held in such high regard at every club he's played for. Nonetheless, Defoe failed to find the back of the net in his six appearances for the club, and although he looked in brilliant shape for a 39-year-old, he himself admits he was a yard short. The Sunderland striker cites this as the main reason behind his retirement with it being "the right time" to call it a day.
The news will come a disappointment to supporters, leaving the club with just one fit striker heading into the business end of the season. Ross Stewart's call-up to the Scotland squad is fully deserved, but Defoe's retirement and any injury to the Scot, would leave Sunderland without a recognised senior striker.
It may not have panned out on the pitch for Defoe, perhaps an indictment of Sunderland's season to date, but his transfer is not a complete waste of time. Stewart himself has spoken of the influence Defoe has had on the Black Cats dressing room as an experienced pro, claiming the pair have bounced ideas off one another.
It may be somewhat of a stretch, but Defoe's arrival has coincided with Alex Neil's mid-season recovery run, now stretching to nine games. Sure, the Black Cats striker hasn't found the back of the net which will no doubt disappoint him.
Defoe's return was always about bringing experience to a younger dressing room and trying to get over the line. The play-offs seems the most likely route for Sunderland to achieve their goal and Defoe could still play a part in that in theory, a coaching capacity.
Perhaps the most important lesson from all of this will lie at Kristjaan Speakman's door. The Black Cats sporting director took a gamble bringing Defoe back to Wearside and it hasn't paid off.
There had been speculation on social media suggesting a disagreement between Lee Johnson and Speakman over Defoe's return, but these claims have not been, and no doubt will never be proven. You need only see the former Black Cats comments about heading in different directions to see there was some disagreement behind the scenes.
