Breen departs..

Sunderland today announced their retained list for the 2006/07 season and as expected Gary Breen was the highest profile causalty.

The Sunderland captain has made 115 appearances for the Black Cats following his free transfer move in 2003. With his contract expiring this month Sunderland have announced that they will not be offering the 32-year old a new contract on Wearside.

Grant Leadbitter and Dan Smith will be offered new deals and Kevin Kyle has agreed a new one-year contract extension.

Loan players Justin Hoyte and Anthony Le Tallec have returned to their respective clubs, while Andy Gray is expected to complete a move to Burnley in June.

Sunderland chief executive Peter Walker confirmed that joining Breen out of Wearside would be reserve team players Joe Murphy, Martin Woods, Billy Dennehy and Sean Taylor, along with the 8 youth players released yesterday,

‘Several out of contract players have been released by the club, including Gary Breen, goalkeeper Joe Murphy, midfielders Martin Woods and Billy Dennehy and defender Sean Taylor.

‘Grant Leadbitter and Dan Smith, players who have progressed through our academy ranks and whose contracts were due to expire on June 30, have both been offered new deals and loan signings Anthony Le Tallec and Justin Hoyte have returned to their respective clubs.

‘The club has chosen to exercise an option in the contract of Kevin Kyle, retaining his services for a further year.

‘Andy Gray currently remains under contract with the club, however a permanent move to Burnley has been agreed and we expect the deal to be completed in early June. The retained list shows those players currently under contract and players whose contracts have expired but have received further contract offers.’

It remains to be seen which players will be placed on the transfer list but with reported interest from various clubs for several Sunderland players it should be an interesting summer of restructuring on Wearside.