Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has admitted to a feeling of 'real disappointment' after Everton's decision to recall Ellis Simms.
Simms joined the Black Cats on a season-long loan during the summer transfer window and had scored seven times in 17 Championship appearances, four of which had arrived in his last six outings, before the Blues activated a clause in his contract to cut short his stay in the north east.
Sunderland lost star striker Ross Stewart to injury at the start of this season, enabling Simms to play a starring role in the side as they challenge for a place in the play-offs upon their return to the second tier. This loan arrived on the back of Nathan Broadhead's successful spell at the Stadium of Light last season, with the Everton forward scoring ten times in 20 third tier appearances as the club clinched promotion from League One.
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Simms has been denied the chance to follow in the footsteps of Broadhead by spending an entire campaign at the EFL side, much to the disappointment of Sunderland's sporting director. Addressing Everton's move to bolster their attacking options by ending this loan agreement, Speakman said : “Ellis’ return to Merseyside is a real disappointment for us due to the shared progress that he and the Club have made this season.
"Unfortunately, this is the nature of loans when they are successful, but it is a testament to Tony and the wider staff - and of course to Ellis - that Everton feel he is ready to continue his immediate development in a Premier League environment. We all wish Ellis the very best and thank him for the part he has played in our continual progression as a Football Club.”
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