---
title: "Sunderland: Kyle Lafferty leaves the club"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-kyle-lafferty-leaves-the-club/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "League One News"
published: "2020-06-15T19:10:44Z"
modified: "2020-06-15T19:10:44Z"
---

# Sunderland: Kyle Lafferty leaves the club

**Sunderland have [confirmed](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53040524) that Northern Ireland international Kyle Lafferty has left the club after his contract came to an end.**

Lafferty [signed](https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2020/january/lafferty-signs-short-term-deal) for the Black Cats in January on a short-term deal and his performances were impressive up until the abandonment of the 2019/20 League One season.

Making [11 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kyle-lafferty/profil/spieler/36884) for the Wearside club in which he netted two goals, the former Glasgow Rangers man proved to be a good option in Phil Parkinson’s attack, fighting for a position along with Charlie Wyke and Will Grigg.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

The 32-year-old’s exit sees him potentially join a [whole host of Sunderland players who will become free agents](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/afc-sunderland/vertragsende/verein/289) this summer.

Following the end to the 2019/20 season, an [official statement](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53040524) from Sunderland has now confirmed Lafferty’s exit from the Stadium of Light, saying: *“Sunderland AFC can confirm that Kyle Lafferty has left the club.”*

Prior to his spell with the Black Cats, Lafferty had been playing for Norwegian club Sarpsborg, but he will now attempt to find a new employer, having already lined out for [11 different clubs](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kyle-lafferty/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/36884) across six countries in his career.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Sunderland are staring at a mass exodus and, whilst some fans may see that as a bad thing, it could yet prove to be a blessing, with those already at the club missing out on promotion for a second year in a row.

Looking at the squad in general, current boss Parkinson could have his work cut out to develop a group of players capable of achieving promotion to the Championship, all the more so with Lafferty gone.

***Do you think Lafferty should have been kept at Sunderland? Let us know in the comments section below…***