Sunderland fans react as Jeremain Lens finally leaves permanently

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As expected, Jeremain Lens will not be returning to Championship strugglers Sunderland.

Jeremain Lens is no longer a Sunderland player.

The Dutch international winger has spent the last 18 months away from the Stadium of Light during loan spells in Turkey, enjoying a fine stint under former Black Cats boss Dick Advocaat at Fenerbahce last season before moving on to Besiktas in the summer.

Despite failing to have the same impact at the reigning Super Lig champions, Lens has obviously done enough to earn himself a permanent deal with Senol Gunes’ side.

As reported by the Chronicle, Besiktas had until March 1 to decide whether or not they wanted to make the Dutch international’s loan move permanent. And they have now decided to do just that, paying Sunderland £6 million for the 30-year-old in a deal that will go through at the end of the season.

This is despite the fact that Lens has been far from a regular in Besiktas colours. Stuck behind fellow former Premier League flops Ricardo Quaresma and Ryan Babel in the pecking order, the former AZ and PSV winger has started just seven Super Lig games so far this season.

But Sunderland should be very happy with the deal. After all, they have recouped almost all the £8 million they invested in Lens when signing him from Dinamo Kiev in the summer of 2015.

Despite his undoubted quality, showcased with a wonder-goal against West Ham, Lens never adapted to English football and his inconsistencies meant he was never likely to thrive once the famously pragmatic Sam Allardyce replaced Advocaat early in his debut season.

And it is fair to say fans will not be lining the streets to bid him farewell.