Sunderland, Sunderland news, Sunderland updates, Black Cats, SAFC, Stadium of Light, Jermain Defoe, Alex Neil
James Hunter has been left unhappy with the decision by Sunderland to sign Jermain Defoe after he announced his retirement from professional football.
The Lowdown: Defoe retires
As confirmed by the official website of the Stadium of Light faithful, Defoe has retired from professional football with immediate effect.
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The striker returned to the Wearside club in the January transfer window on a short-term deal, but has now called it quits for good after just a couple of months.
The former England international draws the curtain on a glittering career in which he racked up 306 goals for club and country.
The Latest: Hunter reacts
Taking to Twitter, The Chronicle journalist Hunter has now slammed the decision to re-sign Defoe, and claims that he should have seen out the remainder of his contract:
“Safc fans will always have a lot of affection for Defoe following his first spell here, for obvious reasons.
“But club’s decision to re-sign him in January was mystifying – a really bad call.
“Timing of retirement also disappointing, should have honoured contract until end of season.”
The Verdict: Harsh
Hunter’s reaction to the news seems very harsh, given how much Defoe has already given to the club.
He scored 37 goals in 93 matches over all competitions across three campaigns in his first spell (Transfermarkt), including a memorable winner against rivals Newcastle United in the Premier League in 2015.
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Given the long-term injury for Everton loanee Nathan Broadhead, the Black Cats could have done with another forward option, and Defoe seemed like the perfect man to fill in that role at the time, so it’s hard to begrudge either the club or player for agreeing the short-term deal.
In other news, find out what ‘huge boost’ SAFC have now received here!
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