Jermain Defoe confirms Sunderland exit this summer; makes a promise to Black Cats supporters

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Jermain Defoe is set to leave Sunderland this summer following their relegation from the Premier League.

Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe

Jermain Defoe has confirmed that he is now a free agent following Sunderland’s relegation from the Premier League, but insisted that he will do everything he can to help the Black Cats end the campaign on a high, the Shields Gazette reports.

Defoe has arguably been Sunderland’s best performer since he arrived at the Stadium of Light, and it is surely fair to say that without his goals, they would have probably been relegated last season or would have gone down a lot sooner this year.

Unfortunately however, his 15 goals have not been enough for David Moyes’ men this year as they will definitely be playing Championship football next term, leaving the path clear for Defoe to leave on a free transfer (via Shields Gazette).

And he has now confirmed what has appeared inevitable since their relegation, but promised to try and give supporters something to smile about during the final weeks of the campaign.

“We don’t know exactly what is going in but I think it’s well documented, I’m a free agent. It is a difficult situation, it is going to be emotional. You never know in football, I remember when I left Tottenham, it was hard because of the relationship I had with the fans, it was a decision I had to make for football reasons,” he said, as reported by the Shields Gazette.

“I went and I came back. For the next three games I’m going to give everything I can and if turns out to be my last home game, I want to show the fans that I appreciate them, every song they’ve sung, every minute they’ve supported the team, all the lads.”

While supporters would have enjoyed watching their side win at Hull last time out, there was bound to also be plenty of frustration given that it was only after relegation was confirmed that they managed to register their first win since February.

And for that reason, as well as the fact that the squad seems likely to undergo major surgery in the summer – so few of the players’ form is likely to benefit Sunderland beyond this term – it would hardly be a surprise if the Sunderland fans are extremely keen to see this campaign brought to an end as soon as possible – even if that does bring an end to Defoe’s spell with the club.