Sad day really. It was always gonna come someday but in this league we were better with him for sure. Just feel bad for him that his last season with us was such a downer, mind there hasn’t been much for him to celebrate the last 10 years with us.
Club statement We can confirm that Lee Cattermole has left the club with immediate effect. Lee has been a great servant for SAFC and we wish to place on record our thanks for his dedication for the past 10 years and we wish him the very best in the future. LEE CATTERMOLE STATEMENT “Sunderland is a special club and this decision has not been easy, but I believe it is the right time to find a new challenge. The football club, over my 10 years, has had some fantastic managers, staff and players and I have been lucky to be part of that. I would like to say a big thank you to Jack Ross and his staff, and I wish him and the current squad all the best for the coming season. There are some exciting young players at the club and I will be looking forward to seeing them progress. And finally, and most importantly, the fans. You are what makes the club special and your passion and commitment is something that has always inspired me throughout my career at Sunderland and will continue to inspire the team. Thank you.”
I'm sure it will all come out in time. My opinion is he's wages could sign 3/4 decent players alone. Will he get his contract paid up? Will that be his testimonial pay off? I dont know but still a shock.
Ethan Robson will come straight in for him, and im looking forward to see what he can offer. With Mcgeouch signing a new deal and a new rightback being signed freeing ONien to move back in the middle, it was inevitable Catts would go I think.
Always defended Catts. and sorry to see him go. Understand about his high wages being a burden on the club and just hope we can sign someone with half the passion he had for us, and with a bit more skill perhaps as I wasn't blind to his limitations. Interesting to see where he ends up.
Good for the overall picture of the club. All the best to the lad. I’ve been up and down with him but undeniably a good servant to the club. We couldn’t have played him and Grant, we already knew this.
All the best to him - one of our better players last season but a huge financial burden. I will always remember this
I haven't rated him for a while and wanted him moved on for the wages but now he's gone I feel a bit sad. He's given his all for my club for a quarter of my life. Glad that he ended it with a very decent season and with a good relationship with the fans.
I get the feeling he's moved now for the good of the club, financially speaking. Hopefully he will find a decent club with a good contract. As bad as we have been always thought we looked better with him in the team.
I thought he was one of our better players last season and my frustrations with him dissipated a bit. Can't honestly say I'm fussed either way that he's gone.
Best of luck to the bloke in whatever he does. He will be missed, bit we definitely need to part ways and progress. He ain't getting any better... or quicker, and we need to blood a new look midfield
I think Lee Cattermole became a bit like a comfort blanket. Familiar and embodying characteristics that many people seem to consider to be representative of Sunderland as both a football club and a city. You can't doubt his hard work or his determination. But that glossed over the fact that he hadn't been playing very well for several seasons prior to the one just gone. He should have been sold off about four seasons ago. If he had been, we might be able to look back on him with fondness. For me, he's gone past his sell by date now though. He had a resurgence in the season just gone so he's had his swansong. But now, its thanks for the effort but it's time to go and time for the club to move on.
