Carl Winchester has confirmed he will leave Sunderland when his contract expires this summer. The midfielder has spent virtually the entire season on loan at League One Shrewsbury Town, with his only outing for the Black Cats this season coming in the Carabao Cup first round defeat at Sheffield Wednesday back in August.
Winchester's two-and-a-half year deal runs out this summer and he took to social media to bid farewell. "My time at Sunderland is officially up," the 30-year-old posted on Instagram.
"I'd like to thank everyone associated with the club for giving me the opportunity to play for such a huge club. Growing up if anyone had said I'd be playing for Sunderland and achieve promotion at that level I'd snap their hand off.
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"From my team-mates I've met some friends for life and to the fans who gave us support every week I will always treasure those moments, so I'd like to wish the club nothing but success in the future. Ha'way the lads.
"And to Shrewsbury Town I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to come and play. To my team-mates and staff and everyone involved in the club I'd like to thank you for a great season on and off the pitch! As well I've met some friends for life.
"Now onto my next adventure wherever that will be."
Winchester was sporting director Kristjaan Speakman's first signing, joining the Black Cats from Forest Green in January 2021 when Lee Johnson was head coach on Wearside. He went on become a mainstay of the team which won promotion from League One via the play-offs 12 months ago, but then found himself out in the cold when Sunderland made the step up to the Championship.
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